Martin, Tenn.–Shelby DeMorato, the Senior daughter of Joelle and Michael DeMorato of Puryear, graduated from the 2023 TN Governor’s School for Agriculture Sciences at UT Martin. Shelby was one of only 35 high school juniors and seniors from the entire state selected to attend this prestigious event where she elected to focus on Veterinary Sciences.
Shelby is the third HCHS student to attend this Governor’s School, following in the steps of Katie Plowman and Allie Jo Shankle.
Selected Governor’s School students live on campus at UTM for the month of June, completing one of two focuses: Veterinary Science or Precision Agriculture as well as taking college classes in either Agriculture Business or Natural Resources.
During the four-week program, Shelby and her classmates divided their time between being on the UTM campus and exploring agriculture all over the state where they studied companion and food animals as well exotic animals like snakes and other reptiles.
They worked with the cattle, horses and goats that are housed on campus and ventured off campus to Tosh Farms to study hog production and to the Carroll County Humane Society to study shelter medicine. Shelby stated that one of her favorite parts of the experience was being able to assist spaying and neutering dogs during the surgical rotation.
DeMorato said, “The best thing that I have ever done for myself and my future is applying for the Tennessee Governor’s School for the Agriculture Sciences. I have always had a passion for agriculture but this program allowed me to figure out how I want to incorporate my passion into my future career.”
“After seeing Shelby’s dedication towards studying for our FFA Vet Science contest and knowing the hard work she put into her classwork, she was the perfect fit as a student during Governor’s School. Shelby has laser focus and this dedication to her goals will give her a spot in a vet school after her undergraduate degree is finished. I am so proud of her and cannot wait to see what the future holds for this talented young lady,” HCHS Agriculture Educator Laura Moss said.
Photo: Shelby with HCHS Agriculture Educators Chance Young and Laura Moss