South Carolina 4-H, FFA programs shine at national contest

BROWNWOOD, Texas - Members of South Carolina 4-H and the state chapter of the National FFA Organization traveled across the southern United States this summer, bringing home national honors.

Two teams of South Carolina 4-H and FFA members from Horry and Lexington counties traveled to Brownwood, Texas, to compete in the Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP) National Contest. The teams competed against 16 other teams from across the country.

For Aynor High School student Thomas Mason King, the 2024 national contest was both educational and fun.

King earned the highest individual scores in both the FFA and 4-H divisions.

"My favorite part of the trip was traveling to a new territory with my fellow classmates and finishing the job we started back in April," King said. "To me, WHEP means getting together with my teammates and putting in the work to achieve a goal. The competition is fun, and so is winning."

He continued by saying, "But nothing can compare to the behind-the-scenes work that went into the competition with the people I have spent my whole life with."

Traveling to another part of the country was an educational experience, King added.

"I learned many things on this journey to Texas, but my favorite was how different the weather and lifestyle are in a different part of the country," he said.

The South Carolina FFA members won their division and were declared national champions. In addition to King, other team members included Aynor students Ethan Buffkin, Chase Squires and Levi Dickerson. Teacher Nathan Bellamy coached them.

South Carolina 4-H members from Lexington County 4-H finished in 6^th Place in the 4-H division. Hennelly Gavin, a member of the team, placed ninth overall. Eric Eliassen, a 4-H county agent, coached the team.

Other members competing in the 4-H division were Emma McCaffrey and Mya Chapman. McKenna Limehouse, a member of the state-winning 4-H team, could not compete in the nationals.

Mallory Maher, a Clemson Extension Natural Resources associate who serves on the National WHEP Committee, helps conduct the annual national contest. Because of its success at the state and national levels, South Carolina will host the 2026 National WHEP Competition.

"We look forward to showcasing South Carolina's natural resources to the rest of the country," Maher said.

WHEP is a 4-H and FFA youth natural resource program dedicated to teaching wildlife and fisheries habitat management to youth ages 8 to 19 in the United States. Contact the local Clemson Cooperative Extension Service office for information on how to get involved.

The Nemours Wildlife Foundation sponsors travel and registration fees associated with the national contest.

"Nemours has been a sponsor of South Carolina WHEP since 2019 and has been a tremendous asset to the program," Maher said.