Ramona High FFA racks up awards, regional recognition
Ramona High School Future Farmers of America (FFA) students are on a roll as they wind up the school year. Competitions, awards and leadership recognition have all come their way.
In their last two competitions, students on the Horse Judging team placed first high team at the Hemet Field Days and third at the Cal Poly Pomona Field Day.
Individual members of the team racked up awards as well with Alaina Sill taking first, Katlyn McClellan second and Paige Been third in the Hemet competition. In Pomona, Sill walked away with third and McClellan fourth.
Although the Livestock Judging team did not place at the Cal Poly Pomona Field Day, Sarah Drown took home an individual fourth place award. Bigger recognition came the sophomore’s way when she was officially chosen as one of five Southern Region vice presidents for the 2015-16 school year. She will help facilitate all regional level FFA activities such as regional meetings, Leadership Summit, SoCal Leadership Conference, and regional speaking, parliamentary procedure and judging contests.
Drown’s regional leadership role also makes her the San Diego Section president for FFA in San Diego.
“She will oversee the San Diego officer team and will be the liaison between the San Diego County FFA chapters and the Southern Region,” said Ramona High FFA adviser Alyson Tulloch, who, due to Drown’s presidency, will be San Diego Section FFA adviser.
“Sarah and I will work together with the San Diego officer team to ensure all San Diego section events are successful, educational and fun for all the members,” said Tulloch. “As section adviser, I will oversee the officers as they coordinate activities such as field days and various contests.”
When many think of FFA, it’s in regards to raising livestock, but there are many other opportunities, including students learning to effectively participate in a business meeting through practicing and preparing for the FFA Parliamentary Procedure Contest. Participants are judged on public speaking skills, debate, proper use of parliamentary procedure, and parliamentary procedure knowledge. The president, or chairman, is judged on the ability to preside.
Ramona High’s FFA Parliamentary Procedure Team took third place in the advanced division of regional competition, which qualified the team to compete in the state finals. And, although the team did not do as well as they would have liked at the state level, “they now know what to expect and will be better prepared next year,” said Tulloch. “I am really proud of the Parli Pro team and how hard they worked. The whole thing was a great learning experience.”
Members of the team include chairman Amanda Raines, secretary Sarah Drown, Ava Williamson, Travis Mehaffie, Miguel Calvillo and Alaina Sill.
At the Southern Region Proficiency and State Degree Awards Banquet, Raines, a senior, was awarded her State FFA Degree, an honor given to the top members of a state FFA Association.
“This is a huge accomplishment and recognition,” said Tulloch. “To earn her state degree, Amanda had to have earned or invested $1,000 in her FFA Supervised Agricultural Experience projects, have held an FFA officer position, have at least 25 hours of community service and have spent a minimum of 500 hours outside of class time on her agricultural projects.”
Drown was also recognized at the awards banquet for her excellence in the Sheep Production project. She manages over 25 head of sheep which she breeds, shears and shows annually in addition to selling the fleece from the wool breeds in her herd, said Tulloch.
About 7,665 FFA chapters representing each of the 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands total approximately 610,240 members. The organization’s mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by “developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.”