Scholarship Support Helping Madelyn Hawkins Pursue a Future of Service

As she prepares to graduate from the South Carolina Governor’s School for Agriculture at John de la Howe, Madelyn Hawkins reflects on how the South Carolina Poultry Federation scholarship, her agricultural upbringing, and a community of mentors helped shape her future goal of becoming a social worker.

Today, Wednesday, May 13, marks Madelyn Hawkins’ final day on campus at the South Carolina Governor’s School for Agriculture at John de la Howe as she eagerly anticipates graduation and prepares for her next chapter at Charleston Southern University.

For Madelyn, receiving the South Carolina Poultry Federation scholarship made that next step feel possible.

This year marked the first year the South Carolina Poultry Federation partnered with the John de la Howe School Foundation to provide the scholarship opportunity for students.

More than a financial award, the scholarship represented encouragement, opportunity, and the reassurance that her future matters.

“I was washing my hands getting ready to go back to class,” Madelyn said, remembering the moment she learned she had received the scholarship.

“It was so amazing,” she thought. “This is going to change my life.”

A Future Rooted in Agriculture and Service

A senior in the Plant and Animal Science pathway, Madelyn plans to major in psychology and minor in criminal justice at Charleston Southern University with the eventual goal of becoming a social worker.

For Madelyn, that dream is deeply connected to both her upbringing and her experience at the Governor’s School.

She grew up in Iva, South Carolina, on her family’s farm, Oakhill Angus Farm, where agriculture has always been part of daily life. Her family raises Brangus cattle, operates chicken houses, and farms more than 100 acres of land. From an early age, Madelyn was helping her dad build fences, work cattle, and care for the farm alongside her family.

That background, she says, gave her something difficult to teach in a classroom: confidence.

“Growing up in agriculture gives you a confidence that only agriculture can give.”

It also taught her perseverance, responsibility, discipline, and the value of hard work, lessons she believes will continue shaping her future as she works toward helping others through social work.

Lessons Learned Beyond the Classroom

When Madelyn first arrived at the Governor’s School, she thought she wanted to become a veterinarian so she could continue helping on the family farm.

But over time, living on campus and building relationships with students from many different backgrounds began shaping her perspective in new ways.

“Coming here and seeing the different backgrounds of students really opened my eyes to the needs people have,” she said.

Living in a residential community also created connections unlike a traditional high school experience.

“The dynamic here is totally different than a normal high school because we are so close.”

Madelyn says the support system at the school played a major role in preparing her for adulthood and helping her discover her future calling.

Experiences That Helped Shape Her Journey

• Student Government

• FCA

• FFA

• 4-H

• Shotgun Team

• Show Team

• National FFA Convention

• Internship at the farm at Connie Maxwell Children’s Ministries

  
  

She also credits the school’s staff and faculty for investing in students both personally and professionally.

One staff member who especially impacted her agriculture teacher, Mrs. Rhodes.

“She encouraged us every day to grow into the people we were created to become.”

Madelyn also shared that practical senior-life classes covering topics like: time management, taxes, finances, job applications, and life preparation skills

helped prepare her for what comes next after graduation.

She said resident advisors and staff members constantly encouraged students and reminded them they were capable of building meaningful futures.

Discovering the Power of Agriculture

Through her experiences at the Governor’s School, Madelyn began to see agriculture in a broader and more personal way.

“There are so many things in ag that you can do,” she said. “There is a business side, and there are all these different ways to be involved.”

One memory that especially stayed with her happened during the state fair, when a little girl approached her after seeing a cow for the first time.

“She had never seen a cow before,” Madelyn said. “Her face just lit up.”

Moments like that helped reinforce what Madelyn already felt in her heart: agriculture has the power to comfort, encourage, and connect people.

What Agriculture Taught Madelyn

• Hard work

• Responsibility

• Confidence

• Leadership

• Compassion

• Perseverance

• Service to others

  
  

“Animals can bring calm, peace, and comfort.” That passion grew even stronger through her internship experiences, where she saw firsthand how agricultural environments can positively impact children and give them something meaningful to look forward to.

Today, her long-term dream is to combine that heart for helping others with the resilience and confidence agriculture gave her growing up.

The Impact of Scholarship Support

As graduation approaches, Madelyn says scholarships like the one provided by the South Carolina Poultry Federation make an enormous difference for students stepping into their next chapter.

“The weight of paying college funds and loans weighs a lot on the next generation. A lot of students feel like they can’t go to college because of financial reasons, and places like the South Carolina Poultry Federation make it possible.”

For Madelyn, the scholarship is helping create a pathway forward — one built on faith, hard work, agriculture, and a desire to help others.

And as she prepares to leave the Governor’s School behind, she hopes future students recognize just how life-changing opportunities like these can be.

“Never take this school for granted,” she said. “It will change your life, especially with the scholarships.”

Support the Next Generation of Agricultural Leaders

Scholarships like the South Carolina Poultry Federation award are helping students like Madelyn pursue college, leadership opportunities, and careers centered on service, agriculture, and community impact.

Through the support of donors, industry partners, and community advocates, students at the South Carolina Governor’s School for Agriculture at John de la Howe are gaining life-changing opportunities both inside and outside the classroom.

Your Support Helps Provide:

• Student scholarships

• Leadership development opportunities

• Agricultural learning experiences

• Student travel and competition opportunities

• Career and college readiness support

• Hands-on agricultural programming

  
  

When you invest in students, you help create pathways toward futures filled with purpose, confidence, and opportunity.

To learn more about supporting scholarships and student opportunities through the John de la Howe School Foundation, visit our Ways to Give page or contact the Foundation office.