Hometown Brandon - Winter 2015

and now I’m building men and women.”
One of Mr. White’s former students, Kramer Sowell, is now his teaching
partner and speaks of the influence that White has had on his life. “I have
had the pleasure of seeing Mr. White in three different lights. I first saw
him as a teacher. I saw how he cared for all of the students and his passion
for his job and his coworkers. Seeing his loving actions is what inspired
me to become an agriculture teacher. The next light I have seen him in is
as a partner/mentor. He still has that same passion for his students and
coworkers. I have gained a better appreciation for his knowledge base
and his skill set and his eagerness to share it with me and others. The last
and brightest light I have seen him in is as a friend. He has helped me
through tough decisions, been right by my side during a terrible accident,
and shares the love of our Lord with me everyday. He is the best teacher,
partner and friend, and has the biggest, most beautiful heart.”
Mr. White and the Ag program at BHS profoundly impacted Harrison
Lang, a 2011 BHS graduate and senior Agricultural Information Science
major at Mississippi State. Harrison was involved in FFA through BHS
his entire high school career, participating in several contests including
Opening and Closing, Prepared Public Speaking and Tool Identification.
He served as Chapter Vice-President and Chapter President during his
Junior and Senior years.
“When I became involved in Mr. White’s program my freshman year,
I was extremely shy and timid. As I progressed through the program I
began to open up and develop as a person. I give full credit to Mr. White
and Mr. Robinson for this. These men pushed me to do my best, many
times more than what I thought I was capable of. Mr. White saw potential
in me when I didn’t believe in myself and worked tirelessly to cultivate
that potential.”
Harrison went on to serve as the
2011-2012 president of the FFA for the
state of Mississippi, traveling across
the country and promoting the FFA
organization as well as agriculture in
the state. He firmly believes that none
of his success would have been possible
without Mr. White’s support.
“I say, without hesitation, that Mr.
White has had as much of an impact on my life as my own parents. It is
obvious that he is passionate about teaching and it’s much more than a
job to him. He acts as an excellent example to all young people in how a
Christian man should conduct himself and live his life. If I turn out to be
half the man Mr. White is, I will consider my life a success.”
The effect of a good, caring teacher is evident in the paths and
accomplishments of Mr. White’s students. Not surprisingly, White credits
his own Ag teacher, Johnny Carter of Pelahatchie, with influencing him
to do what he does today. “He gave me so many opportunities to build my
confidence. If I can help one person like he helped me, I’ll consider myself
a success.”
Mission accomplished Mr. White.
Hometown Brandon • 39