The slogan “Got Milk” means something special to four Santa Maria High School FFA students as they head to a national competition.
The school’s State Champion Milk Quality and Foods Team was set to attend the national contest to be held at the National FFA Convention in Louisville, Ky., from Oct. 28 to Nov. 1.
Santa Maria High School seniors Alondra Novoa and Daisy Bernal, and juniors Valentina Santos and Mariana De Leon put in hundreds of hours during the past three years preparing for the event, according to Shannon Powell of the Santa Maria High FFA Agricultural Department.
The students represented the California FFA at the contest. The contest required them to perform several laboratory tests on milk to determine the quality and give an oral report on their findings. In addition, they were required to taste and identify several different cheeses and milks. They also had to perform three different knowledge tests on current marketing and industry trends within the dairy industry.
While at the National FFA Convention, SMHS agriculture teacher Clemente Ayon was set to receive his Honorary American FFA Degree, and the Santa Maria FFA Chapter was scheduled to be recognized as a National Two Star Chapter.
The team prepared for the contest by visiting California Dairy Inc., Hilmar Cheese, and Clauss Dairy where the students participated in the hands-on learning of the California mastitis test, and the titratable acidity test, in addition to talking to industry representatives about national dairy production marketing trends.
Prior to the contest, team member and SMHS senior Bernal said she was excited to represent California and Santa Maria at the National FFA Convention and Expo. “This opportunity has opened my eyes to the dairy industry and at this time I would like to go to a four-year university and major in dairy science.”
Coach Mark Powell applauded the team’s dedication.
“Not many people have the opportunity to compete for a national title, this will be a lifetime memory for these young ladies and an experience that the ladies have earned themselves through hard work and a longtime commitment,” he said.
Each year, more than 60,000 FFA members and guests attend the National FFA Convention and Expo from throughout the United States.
This article appears in Oct 29 – Nov 4, 2015.