Joycelyn Strauch Benedict ’67 has left a legacy that will benefit SHS students for many years to come. In the late 1990s, Joycelyn donated $25,000 to help fund the Strauch Agricultural Center that is located on SHS property. Opened in 1999, the center houses a horse, cattle, sheep, goats, rabbits and ducks and is used by students taking vocational agriculture courses. The center enables SHS students who are planning to show animals at the Richland County Fair to keep their animals at the center instead of at their homes.
In addition, Joycelyn donates money – now totaling thousands of dollars – every year for a scholarship that is awarded to an SHS student planning to study agriculture in college. All students taking agricultural courses help take care of the center. The center also is available for touring by children.
Says one alum, “Both of my daughters have benefited immensely from the FFA program. They have acquired countless benefits including a strong work ethic, responsibility, leadership skills and appreciation for agriculture to name a few.” Joycelyn lives in Florida.
Nominator: Connie Fry Ament ’65.
Richland County-Shelby Chapter, OGS 