News from News From	Michael D. Chason Director of Public Relations ABAC 30, 2802 Moore Hwy Tifton, GA 31793-2601 Phone 229-391-5055 Fax 229-391-5051 mchason@abac.edu

For IMMEDIATE Release July 17, 2009

SCREVEN STUDENT CHOSE ABAC FOR SMALL SIZE, SCHOLARSHIPS

TIFTON—Felipe Pedraza had an eventful first year at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. Besides being a fulltime ABAC student, he served as a state vice president for the Georgia FFA Association until his term ended in April.

The agriculture major from Screven began his involvement in FFA later than most.

“I didn’t join the FFA until tenth grade,”Pedraza, a graduate of Screven County High School said. “That is why I chose agriculture to major in when I got to ABAC. I like the whole process of agriculture. There is so much more to learn and study.”

Pedraza decided to attend ABAC for more than one reason.

“I loved the fact that ABAC was a small campus,” Pedraza said. “I didn’t want to go off to a big college yet. But another aspect that I really liked was the scholarship opportunities ABAC has to offer the students.”

Pedraza received a College Assistance Migrant Program Scholarship and a Planter Electric Membership Scholarship upon entering ABAC in the fall of 2008.

While living on campus he became involved with the Collegiate FFA, the Cultura Latina Club, and played intramural softball with his team, the Crash Test Dummies. He also enjoys helping out his high school FFA chapter and growing plants. This summer he is working at a plant nursery while taking a class at Georgia Southern.

“This year I was very busy with FFA, and I loved that my instructors were outgoing and eager for me to be involved,” Pedraza said. “The instructors are cooperative with my involvement not only in academics, but extracurricular activities. When the teachers are excited about my involvement and really care, it makes me want to succeed.”

Pedraza will graduate from ABAC next spring with his associate’s degree in agriculture. He then plans to attend the University of Georgia, where he will earn his B.S. and M.S. degrees in agriculture. He would like to go into agriculture education with plans to teach and advise FFA.

“FFA will always be a big part of what I do, and I would love to stay active in it after college,” Pedraza said.

The deadline for ABAC applications for the fall term is Aug. 1. The fall semester begins Aug. 17.

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