National FFA Week celebrated at Santa Maria High School. Courtesy photos.
SANTA MARIA — Every year during the month of February, the FFA Organization celebrates National FFA Week. During a normal year, SMHS FFA students would have participated in competitive events at lunch, our annual tractor pull and our infamous “Got a buck, you’re in luck” hamburger BBQ. This year, things were a little different, but our students were still able to get involved and celebrate National FFA Week.
This week our students celebrated National FFA Week through virtual contests posted on Social Media, a virtual Zoom meeting, Spirit Dress Up days and a Drive Thru Meeting. During our Drive Thru Meeting, which some of you may have participated in while leaving work Wednesday, students were given a variety of Agricultural goodies and had a lot to see.
Students in the Agriculture Leadership class reached out to different agricultural commodity councils and received goodies from Sunmaid Raisins, the Beef Council, the Santa Barbara County Farm Bureau and California Real Milk. Each student who attended the Drive Thru received a customized drawstring Santa Maria FFA bag filled with these goodies and a special snack! We also had a “looking zoo” instead of a petting zoo with a miniature horse, goats, rabbits, and chickens. Each student was given a small bag of potting soil, a container and either pumpkin, radish, or spinach seeds to plant at home. Our Ag mechanics class made some special metal cutouts for our students as well.
Finally, the Santa Barbara County Farm Bureau was there to pass out FFA jackets to those students who applied for a free FFA jacket through the Blue Jacket Bonanza program which is celebrating their 10th year awarding FFA jackets to deserving students.
Mr. Campbell making his way through the Drive Thru! (right pic)
The FFA motto is something our students live by and during our Drive Thru meeting, students brought blankets and socks to donate to the Salvation Army. We are so proud of our students and their desire to Live to Serve!
Our students celebrated Ag Teacher Appreciation Day with special messages for each of the Ag Teachers. One student wanted to thank all teachers for their hard work this year and we completely agree with them. Thank you to all of the teachers and staff at SMHS for your continued support of our students and our Agriculture Program, we couldn’t do it without you! Go Saints!
This week, Mr. Luis Guerra was also chosen as the South Coast Region Golden Owl. This is an award for agriculture teachers sponsored by Nationwide Insurance. Mr. Guerra will now go on to compete against the other winners in the state. If you see him, wish him luck and if you know Mr. Guerra, you know he is very deserving of this special recognition!
