NBHS – A graduating senior of North Buncombe High School is one of six students from across the state to be chosen for the 2019-2020 AgYouth Leadership Award Program, a program of Carolina Farm Credit Association. Caleb Buckner of Weaverville was the only student in Western North Carolina chosen for the award.
“All of the applicants showed great qualities and it was very tough to choose the award winners. Once the award winners were selected, those applications were reviewed again to select six $1,000 scholarship recipients, said Maggie Hamm, Chief Marketing Officer for Carolina Farm Credit. “We are thrilled to have had a great turnout with our second annual AgYouth Leadership award program. Agriculture has a bright future with youth such as yourselves to lead us into the next generation,” she told the winners in an email.
North Buncombe Principal Samantha Sircey said in an email, “We will (hopefully) recognize Caleb for this scholarship later in the fall when we recognize the many other ag ed students scholarships at our ‘Awards Banquet,’…Congratulations, Caleb! I’m sure you have a lifetime of awards in your future! Good luck next year.”
Caleb told the Tribune, “I feel blessed and proud to receive this award and scholarship. I’m thankful to have teachers, mentors, and family in my life that have taught me how important good leadership skills are and how hard work and dedication pays off.”
He added, “I’ve lived on a third generation beef cattle farm all my life. I grew up playing with toy trucks and tractors and always dreamed I would run a farm someday. I’ve held multiple leadership positions in 4H and FFA since I was in the 5th grade. I also received the rank of Eagle Scout when I was 13. I held several leadership positions in the scouts also.“
Caleb explained, “I plan to pursue degrees in Diesel Mechanics and Welding from AB Tech. Right now I’m in the process of starting my own beef cattle business. I plan to continue working for WNC Refab/Boone Concrete while in college.”