Mariposa FFA continues to excel at conferences and in competition

The Mariposa FFA Chapter continues to excel as they have attended several conferences and competitions recently.

Mariposa FFA Members attend State Leadership Conferences in Monterey

Fourteen members of the Mariposa FFA chapter traveled to Monterey last month to attend the Made For Excellence (MFE) and Advanced Leadership Academy (ALA) conferences, two statewide leadership events hosted by California FFA.

Throughout the weekend, students participated in a series of workshops and activities focused on leadership development, communication and teamwork. The conferences are designed to help FFA members build confidence, step outside of their comfort zones and strengthen the skills needed to become effective leaders within their chapters and communities.

Students had the opportunity to connect with FFA members from across California, share experiences and learn from state officers who facilitated the sessions. Many participants described the experience as both inspiring and challenging, pushing them to reflect on their personal goals and leadership styles.

“The MFE and ALA conferences gave our members a chance to grow not only as FFA leaders, but as individuals,” said a chapter representative.

“They returned with new ideas, stronger confidence and a renewed passion for serving our chapter.”

The Mariposa FFA chapter expressed gratitude to the California FFA State Officers for organizing the event and to California FFA for making the experience possible. The chapter plans to apply what was learned at the conferences to future activities, meetings and community projects.

The weekend in Monterey marked another milestone in Mariposa FFA’s continued commitment to leadership, personal growth and student success.

Mariposa FFA Members excel at Merced Section Speaking Contest

Several members of the Mariposa FFA chapter earned top honors at the Merced Section Speaking Contest held last month, marking another successful milestone for the program.

The students have been preparing since October, first competing at the local level before advancing to sectionals. Their hard work paid off with multiple high placements across several competitive categories.

Kenzie Allison placed fifth in the Creed Speaking contest, while Emily Ramsey earned fourth place in the Job Interview competition. In the Spanish Creed (El Credo) category, Mariana Ramos-Garcia placed first in the Blue Division and Erika Ramos-Garcia earned third in the Gold Division.

This year also marked the first time Mariposa FFA has had students compete in the Spanish Creed event. Both Spanish Creed competitors will advance to the regional contest in March, making chapter history in the process.

The chapter credited Felipe Barrientos for helping coach and prepare the students for the competition. Advisors and officers expressed pride in the team’s dedication, noting that the students’ success reflects months of practice, commitment and confidence.

Mariposa FFA continues to build strong communication and leadership skills through its speaking programs, preparing students for future academic and career opportunities.

Mariposa FFA Natural Resources team earns top honors at state finals

The Mariposa FFA Natural Resources team delivered an outstanding performance at the California FFA State Finals on Saturday, Jan. 24, following weeks of intense preparation and dedication.

Team members Ramsey, Aleah Brum, Cutler Klein and Haley Baars represented Mariposa with excellence, spending countless hours studying, practicing and refining their skills in natural resource management.

A special highlight of the competition was Brum’s individual success. Brum placed first in the Animal category, fifth in Knowledge and Skills and earned fourth High Individual overall, making her one of the top competitors at the event.

As a team, the group finished third overall at the state level, a significant accomplishment that reflects their teamwork, perseverance and commitment to excellence.

Advisors and chapter members praised the team’s dedication and noted that their success serves as an inspiration for future competitors.

The Mariposa FFA chapter looks forward to seeing what this group continues to achieve in upcoming events.

Mariposa FFA highlighted in national feature story

The Mariposa FFA chapter was recently featured in a national FFA in the USA story titled “Small Chapter, Big Impact: The Heart Behind Mariposa FFA,” recognizing the chapter’s leadership, community involvement and student impact.

The story was written by Mariposa FFA Reporter Maddie Cole, who was selected as an official FFA in the USA reporter in September.

In this role, Cole continues to share Mariposa FFA’s achievements on a national platform, helping bring attention to the chapter’s growth and success.

The feature allows Mariposa FFA’s story to reach FFA members across the country and increases the opportunity for future recognition in New Horizons Magazine.