A house RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR HUNTER MORTON, AN AGRICULTURE TEACHER AT THE SOUTH CAROLINA GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL FOR AGRICULTURE AT JOHN DE LA HOWE, AND TO CONGRATULATE HIM FOR BEING NAMED THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF AGRICULTURAL EDUCATORS' 2023 REGION V OUTSTANDING EARLY CAREER TEACHER.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives were pleased to learn that Hunter Morton was honored as the 2023 Region V Outstanding Early Career Teacher by the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE); and

Whereas, the NAAE Outstanding Early Career Teacher Award program is designed to encourage young teachers to remain in the profession and to encourage and recognize participation in professional activities.  NAAE members who are teaching in their third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh year are eligible for this award.  NAAE's Region V includes Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida; and

Whereas, originally from Seneca, Mr. Morton served as an officer with the South Carolina State Future Farmers of America (FFA) in 2015.  He earned a bachelor's degree in agricultural education and a master's degree in wildlife and fisheries biology, both from Clemson University, before he began his teaching career at the South Carolina Governor's School for Agriculture at John de la Howe; and

Whereas, Mr. Morton wears another hat at the school, serving as a coach to five state championship teams in his short time there.  Under his direction, the school has enjoyed FFA or 4-H state championships teams in Wildlife, Forestry, Envirothon, Prepared Public Speaking, and Upper FFA Creed Speaking; and

Whereas, together with his beloved wife, Hope, he resides in Elberton, Georgia.  Now in his fourth year as a teacher at John de la Howe, he was honored as the 2021-2022 Teacher of the Year at the South Carolina Governor's School for Agriculture, earned the 2022 NAAE Teachers Turn the Key Professional Development Scholarship, and now has been honored with the 2023 Region V Outstanding Early Career Teacher Award from NAAE; and

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is deeply grateful for the faithful service of young educators, like Hunter Morton, who devote themselves to training the future leaders of this great State, and the members look forward to hearing of his continued achievements in the days ahead.  Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor Hunter Morton, an agriculture teacher at the South Carolina Governor's School for Agriculture at John de la Howe, and congratulate him for being named the National Association of Agricultural Educators' 2023 Region V Outstanding Early Career Teacher.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Hunter Morton.

----XX----