TIFTON — Thirty years after her dad attended ABAC, Shelly Patton decided that the Tifton campus was just right for her as well. Patton, a veterinary medicine/animal science major, is the recipient of this year’s $1,000 ABAC Foundation Scholarship for Georgia 4-H.

She is a Master 4-H member and now participates in the ABAC 4-H Club as well as the Cattlemen’s Association, FFA and the Pre-Vet/Animal Science Club.

The requirements for the ABAC Foundation Scholarship for Georgia 4-H states that the student must be an outstanding 4-H member who will be a freshman at ABAC during the summer or fall terms of the current year.

The 19 year old Madison County High School graduate proved herself academically in high school by graduating in the top 12 of her class and qualifying for the HOPE scholarship. In fact, so far her scholarships have paid for her entire ABAC education. Good news for her parents, Doug and Ann Patton of Danielsville.

“They are happy about that.” Patton said.

Patton says that she enjoys the smaller class sizes that ABAC offers because it gives her the opportunity to work one-on-one with her teachers.

“That’s why I came to ABAC instead of going straight to the University of Georgia. I love my classes,” Patton said. “I’m taking 15 hours and I don’t feel overburdened or anything. I really enjoy living at Lakeside because I’m able to meet more people there. ABAC is just a good place to start.”

Patton hopes to put her ABAC degree to work by continuing her education to become a veterinarian with a focus on farm animals.