Eighteen Atwater High School FFA students joined
over three hundred and fifty students from the
California FFA Central Region for the Made For
Excellence (MFE), and Advance Leadership Academy
(ALA) conference on January 29th-30th
at the Double Tree Hotel in Modesto, California.
This two-day conference is designed primarily for
high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors. The
MFE curriculum focuses on the personal growth of
each individual. Students learned about using
conflict resolution techniques appropriately,
setting goals, and building self-esteem. Each
student created a plan of action which outlined a
game plan to accomplish their individual high school
and career goals. The ALA course focuses on
improving leadership skills, identifying important
agriculture issues, and communicating these
important aspects to the school and community.
The
National and California FFA Organization offer FFA
members a series of five leadership and personal
growth conferences. This 2009-2010 school year, the
Atwater FFA has sent students to various California
locations to participate in the Greenhand
Leadership, Made For Excellence Leadership, and
Advanced Leadership Academy, Washington DC
Leadership, and Sacramento Leadership conferences.
“We
are fortunate to have a strong support network with
our school administration and community, especially
the Atwater Ag Boosters who have donated over $3000
to help pay for student conference and
transportation fees,” explains Natalie Kirschner,
one of six current serving Atwater High School FFA
advisors. “Our number one priority is getting
students involved and providing them opportunities
for scholastic, personal, and career success, and
without the support of parents, the Atwater High
School administration, and members of the community,
we would not be able to provide students the
opportunity to participate in these special
events.”
Atwater FFA members who attended the leadership
conference were Marisa Jorge, Mekayla Coughran,
Jackelyn Vasquez, Sarah Rogers, Courtney Miscione,
Mai Kia Vang, Kia Vue, Mary Thao, Jose Vargas, Nikki
Schiber, Collette Wilcox, JD Brownwood, Paul Ortiz,
Ricky Ornelas, Richard Ornelas, Henry Tapia, and
Sasha Del Muro.
Written By: Mekayla Coughran, Atwater FFA
January 2010
