Ten
Atwater FFA Students earned honors at the annual
Merced-Mariposa Sectional FFA Project Competition
Banquet held at the Merced County Fairgrounds on
January 27th. Seventy-one FFA students throughout
the Merced and Mariposa counties were recognized for
their SAE (Supervised Agricultural Experience)
programs. A SAE program is the actual, hands-on
application of concepts and principles learned in
the agricultural classroom. Students are supervised
by agricultural education teachers in cooperation
with parents, employers, and other adults who assist
them in development and achievement of their
educational and career goals.
Throughout
late November and early December, various community
and business representatives visited various FFA
students at their homes and/or work place to learn
about their projects. Students conducted a 15-20
minute overview presentation of their agricultural
project and/or agricultural work experience. In
addition, students were required to demonstrate a
skill pertaining to their SAE. During the banquet,
students were awarded a “gold” or “silver” award
based on their presentations. Scholarships were also
awarded to senior students. “The students and the
SAE projects recognized in this county are some of
the best in the entire state of California”, said
Merced College Agriculture instructor and Program
Director Darol Fishman.
The
results of Atwater FFA students were as follows:
Cory Mesa, Gold; Gabby Valdivia, Silver; Briana
Hamamoto, Gold; Amanda Buckley, Gold; Laura
Gonzalez, Gold; Matt Woods, Silver; Marisa Jorge,
Silver; Carolyn Schiber, Silver; and John Johnston,
Silver. A $500 scholarship from Rabobank was awarded
to Briana Hamamoto. An Award of Merit went to Briana
Hamamoto and Nikki Schiber.
The
students plan to attend Mills College, Merced
College, Modesto Junior College, Fresno State
University, Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo, and Chico
State University to pursue careers associated with
their SAE.
Written By: Mekayla Coughran, Atwater FFA
January 2010
