Last night on April 12th, at the Kern County Fairgrounds the South Valley FFA section hosted their annual FFA State Degree Banquet. Students were honored for their commitment to the FFA and the agriculture industry.
The State FFA Degree is awarded to FFA members who have demonstrated the highest level of commitment to the California State FFA Association and made significant accomplishments in their Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs). Approximately 1,800 State FFA Degrees are handed out each year. That number represents approximately 3% of the California FFA association membership, making it the State's highest honor.
Shafter FFA had 20 students who have worked extremely hard in the agriculture industry over the last three years to earn this coveted award. Jonathan Cuevas, Nick Darling, Victoria Darling, Juan Espinoza, Reyna Evangelista, Nathan Gonzales, JD Hill, Jason Johnson, Soraida Larios, Eva Lopez, Eunice Martinez, Kaylee Montoya, Ludyaram Ortega, Jasmine Ortiz, Julie Portillo, Travis Poston, Roberto Ramires, Janis Riley, Michael Vander Poel, and Kekoa Witcher all received their California FFA State Degree.
Also, being recognized last night were our outstanding first year and second year students. Caleb Wilson, Iztlali Serrano, and Azuzena Ortiz were recognized as Star Greenhand recipients. Isaac Moreno, Esmeralda Castro, and Isis Brownlow were recognized as Star Chapter Farmers.
These 26 FFA members show the utmost dedication to the FFA organization through their desire to develop their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
The South Valley FFA section also recognized outstanding supporting faculty and administrators. These individuals go out of their way to help support their schools FFA program. Congratulations to Kendall Marshall for being recognized as an outstanding supporting faculty member, Anne Dearmore for Star Counselor, and Russell Shipley for being recognized as an outstanding administrator.
