Special to the Daily Journal/Messenger
March 27, 2008 - 12:00 a.m. EST

COLUMBIA — Caitlin Raines of Easley, President of the B.J. Skelton Career Center FFA Chapter, was crowned Miss FFA for 2008 at a benefit pageant held recently at Crescent High School in Iva. She was also the recipient of a $500 college scholarship. Thirty young ladies from throughout South Carolina competed in the event held to raise funds for breast cancer research.

A senior at Easley High School, Caitlin is a member of the National Honor Society and the National Technical Honor Society. She plans to attend Tri-County Technical College in the fall and later transfer to Clemson University to major in Agricultural Education. An active member of the South Carolina High School Rodeo Association, she is captain of the Wrangler All-Star Team. Caitlin, the high scorer in the 2006 South Carolina FFA Equine Science Competition, was a member of the State Champion FFA Equine Team that participated in the national finals held in conjunction with the National FFA Convention.

Caitlin is the daughter of Larry and Leigh Raines of Easley. Her FFA advisors are Steve McCannon, Abbie Piotrowsky and David Jenson, agricultural education instructors at the B.J. Skelton Career Center.

The Miss FFA Pageant was held in honor of Jennifer Christenbury of Iva, a breast cancer survivor who teaches at Iva Elementary School. Mrs. Christenbury participates in a Three-Day Walk for Breast Cancer Research held annually in Atlanta. All proceeds from the pageant will be contributed to this event in her name.

The mission of the FFA is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through Agricultural Education.