Courtesy photo.
SANTA MARIA — The Pioneer Valley High School FFA recently hosted all six of the California State FFA Officer Team
This team was made up Dean Hill, State President from Templeton FFA, Emma Thorpe, State Vice President from Lakeside-El Capitan FFA, Mia Arisman, State Secretary from Galt FFA, Reese Golsalves, State Treasurer from Modesto FFA, Taylor Sollecito, State Reporter from Salinas FFA, and Maico Ortiz, State Sentinel from Galt FFA.
These high school graduates put their college plans on hold while they serve the California association for one year. They spend countless hours through their year of service putting on leadership conferences, sectional leadership nights, CDE department education meetings, and industry tours to further their knowledge of the Agriculture Industry, according to Panther Ag Teacher and FFA Advisor Gabe Ponce.
Last Thursday and Friday, they spent time on our Central Coast visiting our strong agriculture community and our outstanding students in our district. From the sands of Pismo Beach to the fields of strawberries and vegetables, they invested a few days getting to know our tremendous district and agriculture programs that we have to offer.
On one of their stops, they made a special presentation to Mr. Luis Guerra, Ag Teacher at Santa Maria High School, presenting him with his publisher’s sweepstakes check honoring him as the Nationwide Insurance sponsored Golden Owl Award Finalist recipient. This award goes to the state’s top outstanding agriculture educators. The Golden Owl Award is to recognize the countless hours, resources, and positive impact that Ag Teachers have on the lives of students. Article below.
Other visits included POVE, Driscols, Peacock Farms, CTE Center, Site Principals and Administrators, and finally a sit down with our District Superintendent. Each student shared their story with Mr. Garcia and thanked him for continuing to support the Agriculture Programs in our district. They shared a similar vision that our students regardless of their background, that they can be involved in clubs like FFA, and by the time they graduate, that they will have “choices.” The choice to go to a trade school, junior college, or major university and study an area that they are passionate about.
Their visit wrapped up on the campus of PVHS where our students welcomed them to our campus and highlighted the opportunities and type of students that FFA can produce.