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 16, 2009

Jessica Padgett

padgett combines two interests at abac

TIFTON—Jessica Padgett, the 2008 Valedictorian from Worth County High School, had no trouble deciding on Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College as her college of choice.

“I would always come here with FFA,” Padgett said. “It’s so close to home, and I’m not a number here.”

The agriculture communication major from Sylvester thinks the best thing about ABAC is that there is always someone willing to help.

“Whether you need someone to talk to about classes or joining clubs, there is always someone to talk to,” said Padgett.

Padgett was active in her broadcasting class and FFA in high school so she decided to major in a field that would allow her to do both. She served as a state vice president in FFA for the 2007-08 year.

“I lived and breathed FFA through high school. I started with FFA when I was in seventh grade and went all the way through my senior year. I took the broadcasting class once in high school, where we did all the in-class announcements,” said Padgett.

Besides being a full-time student at ABAC, Padgett also manages to find time for campus activities including being a part of the ABAC choir and serving as a disc jockey for WPLH. When she returns in the fall, she will continue her work with the student newspaper, The Stallion, as news editor and play a role in ABAC’s student housing population as a Community Assistant.

She loves to sing and play guitar outside of ABAC.

“I have been playing with bands since I was ten. If there is a place to sing, I am there. I hope to start a new band with some student musicians here in the fall,” said Padgett.

The recipient of an ABAC Foundation scholarship, Padgett plans to graduate from ABAC in the spring of 2009, but she isn’t quite sure what path she’ll pursue after commencement.

“I am currently looking at the University of Georgia (UGA) and Middle Tennessee State. If I go to UGA I will get my bachelor’s degree in agriculture communication. If I decide on Middle Tennessee, I will major in music,” said Padgett

Her future plans also depend on what road she will choose.

“I would love to be on a tour bus travelling and playing country music. I love it here, and it will always be home, but I want to see things before I settle down,” said Padgett

And if communication wins out?

“I would love to go into broadcasting in front of or behind the camera. I really like the news production side of broadcasting,” said Padgett.

The deadline for applications for the fall term at ABAC is Aug. 1. Fall semester classes begin Aug. 17.

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