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Atwater FFA Charters in a Win at
Arbuckle Field Day
Forty-seven
Atwater High School agriculture students filled a
charter bus and joined over 700 high school students
throughout Central and Northern California at the
Arbuckle FFA Field Day on February 6th.
The FFA Field Day marks the beginning of the FFA
judging season where thousands of students
throughout California compete in various agriculture
skill contests. Contests are held at major community
colleges and universities up and down the state of
California.
The
Atwater FFA Light Horse team made an impressive
showing to start the year with junior Jackie Vasquez
earning 1st high individual overall to
help Atwater FFA to a 1st place overall
team finish. Brianna Hamamoto (3rd
overall), Sasha Del Muro (5th overall),
and Mercedes Munioz, combined their skills in horse
confirmation and evaluation, halter confirmation,
and oral reasons. Other Atwater FFA students who
participated in the Light Horse contest for the
first time included Taylor Perez, Mercedes Gomez,
Elizabeth Lambaren, and Vanessa Del Toro .“We have a
group of dedicated, committed, and determined
students who are eager to learn and develop their
evaluation and public speaking skills,” said coach
and FFA advisor Beth Knapp, “This is a great start
to a very busy and competitive judging season.”
The
Atwater FFA Floriculture team placed 1st
overall with Gilbert Garcia, Erendira Padilla,
Stefani Dias, Stephanie Quintana, Sandra Flores, and
Elena Martinez teaming up in leading the contest as
a team in plant identification, arrangements, and
floral skills. The Atwater FFA’s success and student
involvement stems from the Floral Design course
being taught at the high school. “This is a great
opportunity for students to demonstrate their skills
against other top agriculture and floral programs in
the state,” said Floriculture coach and FFA advisor
Jackie Ioimo, “I’m very proud of their efforts and
continued commitment outside of the classroom in
developing their skills.”
The
Atwater FFA Dairy Products team earned a 2nd
place team finish with Mary Thao placing 1st
and Jose Vargas placing 5th high
individually overall. Other members competing
included Susana Brasil (9th overall),
Kayla Marks, Padee Vang, and Jennifer Her. “For many
this was their first ever competition,” said FFA
advisor Dave Gossman, “This was an opportunity to
learn and establish a foundation to build upon.”
The
Atwater FFA Nursery and Landscape team earned a 3rd
place team finish with Laura Gonzalez placing 1st
high individual overall. Other participants included
Alyssa Thao, Kanly Moua, Marisa Jorge, and Natalia
Sanchez. The contest is composed of plant
identification, evaluation, and a transplant
demonstration. Students also provide a set of oral
reasons to judges based on the students placing and
evaluation pertaining to classes of plants. “This
team is primarily composed of first-timers, and they
have tremendous enthusiasm and drive to improve and
get better.” said Gossman.
The
Atwater FFA “BIG” (Best Informed Greenhand) team
competed with Myra Hernandez placing 8th
and Andrew Sabine placing 10th overall
leading the team to a 3rd place finish
overall. Other team members included Daniel Ornelas
and Caresse Wilson-Cotter.
Terilyn Bettencourt, JD Brownwood, Lilly Reyes and
Mekayla Coughran earned top finishes in the Job
Interview contest where job applications, cover
letters, resumes, and interview skills are
evaluated.
9th
graders Carolyn Schiber, Cailyn Yerrick, and Caresse
Wilson-Cotter, competed in the Creed contest.
Carolyn Schiber placed 5th high
individual overall. “This was a tremendous
opportunity for the students to gain experience and
demonstrate their speaking skills to help promote
and develop self confidence, educational
enhancement, and career skills,” said Knapp, “We’re
all very proud of our students and take pride in
their representation of our school and community.”
The
members of the Atwater FFA Ag Mechanics team
demonstrated their woodworking, electrical, oxy-fuel
welding & cutting skills, tool identification, and a
written exam on all aspects of agriculture
mechanics. “We have a young, enthusiastic, and
dedicated team that is developing their skills for
future success,” says coach and FFA advisor Sam
Meredith. Members of the Ag Mechanics team include
Richard Ornelas, Joey Hamel, Donald Moles, and
Dillion Fowler.
This
was the first contest of the year for FFA programs
throughout the state of California. The primary
judging season begins March 6th at UC
Davis followed by other contests at Chico State
University, Cosumnes River College, Reedley College,
Merced College, Modesto Junior College, Fresno
State, and the 2010 FFA State Finals at Cal Poly,
San Luis Obispo.
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