Courtesy photos.
SANTA MARIA — SMHS Agricultural Teacher and FFA Advisor Luis Guerra was recently selected as the South Coast Regional Golden Owl Award winner, making him one of six finalists in the state for the Ag Educator of the Year.
Nationwide Insurance’s Golden Owl Award sheds light on the selfless contributions agricultural teachers play in the communities they serve and the countless hours they spend preparing future generations for successful careers.
“The Golden Owl award is very meaningful to me because it begins with a nomination from our peers,’’ Guerra said. “As a teacher and advisor, we always strive to encourage students and work towards getting them recognition. It is re-energizing to know that we make a positive difference in our students even in these difficult times.”
In partnership with the California FFA and the California Farm Bureau, Nationwide collected more than 280 nominations from local students, fellow teachers, parents and community members beginning August through December 2020.
Each of the finalists will receive an individualized plaque and $500 to help fund future educational efforts and will be entered into a final selection stage for the chance to be crowned as California’s Ag Educator of the Year. In addition to the Ag Educator of the Year designation, the grand-prize winner will also receive a $3,000 Nationwide funded check to help bring new educational opportunities to the program and its students along with the coveted Golden Owl Award trophy.
Nationwide is also investing $5,000 in each participating state’s FFA organization, including the California FFA, to further support aspiring agriculture professionals.
Nationwide is the No. 1 insurer of farms and ranches in the U.S.
