The Agriculture program at Providence provided me with the tools and experience necessary to pursue a career in Agriculture at a higher academic level and apply into real life scenarios. After I graduated from Providence, I proceeded to get an Associates degree in Livestock and Poultry Management at NC State. After completing my first two years there, I am now pursuing my bachelors in Agribusiness Management. Without the Ag program at Providence, I wouldn't have been able to find my passion in the Agricultural field. This set me up for success in my internships and classes that I have taken. 

Before joining the horticulture program at Providence, I was a below-average student with no real direction and no plans to go to college. I struggled to find anything I cared about until I stepped into that classroom. The hands-on learning and supportive environment completely changed my life. For the first time, I found something I was truly passionate about, and it gave me purpose. That program didn't just teach me about plants, it pushed me to become a better man and I'm grateful for it every day. Now, I'm in my final year at NC State University studying Turfgrass Management and I wouln't change a thing. That high school program opened the door I didn't even know existed, and walking through it was the best decision I ever made. 

My name is Addie Kirkland, and I was a student in the horticulture program at PHS. I took Horticulture 1 and 2, as well as the third level offerered, known then as Advanced Studies. In this program, I was offered many opportunities in hands-on learning and leadership positions, which allowed me to flourish and mature through my high school years. I even held the position of treasurer in our FFA club during my senior year and worked very closely with Ms. Edens and our board. It is easy to look back on my high school year and say this was my favorite class. 

At present, I attend the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. I will be a senior in the fall, set to graduation in the Spring of 2026. I am studying Plant Sciences with a concentration in sustainable landscape design. I plant to continue my education and pursue a master's degree in landscape architecture. All of this is possible because of my history in the PHS horticulture program. Without it, I would have had no knowledge of landscape architecture and no interest in pursuing it. I owe my future career to this program. 

My time in the Providence horticulture program created some of my fondest memories during high school and led me on a path to pursue sustainable agriculture at NC State University. The hands on work provided me with valuable knowledge and experience and plant ID is something that I still find myself using nearly every day in my classes and out in nature.  

The farm that I interned at as a part of my SAE exposed me to areas of the green industry that I was not aware of, and was my deciding factor in my college decisions. Without the horticulture program, I do not know if I would have discovered my love for plants or have had such a clear and meaningful direction for my future.

The Horticulture program at Providence holds a profound significance in my personal and professional development. It played a pivotal role in my transition from youth to adulthood, as a creative outlet beyond the traditional classroom setting. I attribute much of my success as an adult to this program, which inspired me to pursue my passion and career in Landscape Architecture. The nurturing environment and sense of community fostered by the program remain cherished memories, and I am deeply grateful for the dedicated staff who worked tirelessly to create such a positive experience. I will always value the impact of this program on my life.