FRANKIE REYNOLDS – Reporter

     Harford County Public School (HCPS) students have many options about where to attend high school; the Science and Math Academy at Aberdeen, the Homeland Security program at Joppatowne, and the newest addition, the Agricultural Magnet program at North Harford High School (NHHS).

     The Ag magnet program has drawn 56 new freshmen to the school and they are very excited about the opportunity. Wade Williams, a new student in the program who previously attended North Harford Middle School, is very excited about the program. “It’s a lot of fun,” said Williams. “I really believe that this will help me with a career in Ag Mechanics as well as going on field trips so that I am actually ‘in the field.’”

     Once students pass their first required class, Foundations of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences (NRAS), they will have a number of other core course offerings such as Large Animal/ Equine Sciences, Plant Sciences, and Natural Resources Sciences. Each program has 2 mandatory classes, as well as an elective class pertaining specifically to that course. There are also 14 extra electives that are directly related to NRAS magnet.

      So who is helping students and teachers alike learn about this program? Mr. Murrell, a Teacher Specialist at NHHS, is really planning on helping the program in the future, by working together with local sponsors including Nutramax, the Mill, and farmers from the Pylesville area. In time, he plans to get corporate sponsorships as well. Murrell is very excited for the program and for the students involved. In fact, students are already getting along well and getting acquainted to the school. “They’re doing well, I see them excited, making friends, and eating with other students at lunch too,” said Murrell.

     The program had many applicants, near 120, and 100 students met all of the minimum requirements. Of that number, 96 were contacted about the program to reach the 56 they are at today. Students who did not get accepted this year will have the chance to reapply for the magnet next year.