Submitted by YHS Chapter Reporter Courtney Herrera
OAKHURST – In Yosemite High School FFA news, three sophomores and one junior attended the Made for Excellence/Advanced Leadership Academy conference in Visalia in February, where they were quickly put to the test, meeting new friends and becoming better leaders.
Yosemite FFA Chapter Reporter Courtney Herrera had an interview for regional officer. We are lucky enough to say Courtney is slated for Regional Vice President.
Later in the month, to celebrate National FFA Week, Yosemite FFA staged the first ever FFA Week at school. Each day was jam-packed with games and students were invited to dress up for fun.
Yosemite FFA held a contest throughout the week, to see which staff member could raise the most money for the Oakhurst Boys & Girls Club and it was said that the staff member with the most money would well kiss the pig. Even Mr. Seals got involved and wound up kissing the pig!
Yosemite FFA raised over $1,000 for the cause with our annual tri-tip which took place Mar. 11.
FFA Chapter Reporter Courtney Herrera is competing in the San Joaquin Regional Speaking contest on Friday. Mar. 27. She placed fourth in the East Fresno/Madera speaking contest. If she places within the top three she will be competing at the State Speaking Contest in April. We are wishing her all the best of luck this coming Friday.
Finally, we all go to the State conference in April, taking 14 excited students who are ready to learn new leadership skills and interact with other FFA members.
In late-breaking news, Yosemite FFA is proud to announce that this year we have one State Degree candidate. Tanner Russell is a senior at YHS who has been active in FFA all four years. He has welded SAE (Supervised Agriculture Experience) projects for Ag Welding for three years, and shown pigs throughout his high school career. Tanner has also helped at the YHS Football BBQ, Yosemite FFA drive-through BBQs and the Annual FFA Booster Dinner/Auction.
Tanner is a very bright and eager young man who is looking forward to a great future in the agriculture field. Tanner is proud to say that, from his experience showing market pigs and turkeys at fairs throughout high school, and building and selling live auction items, he has learned about responsibility. It’s also allowed him hands-on learning, which helps Tanner focus on SAE projects.
“Ag welding and Mr. Kirby have been a key part of my FFA and learning experience all four year at YHS,” Tanner says, referring to educator Jeff Kirby.
“I plan on attending Fresno City and pursuing a certification in different welds.”
Tanner has already achieved his Greenhand Degree and Chapter Degree, among other awards with in FFA, and the group is very proud of Tanner for meeting all of the requirements. The California State Degree Recipient dinner will be held in the middle of April.
Yosemite FFA is also hard at work getting ready for the Chowchilla Fair. Eighteen students showing from various species of animals are excited to win the Blue Ribbon this coming fair season! Please be reading and looking for more FFA news coming soon.
