Santa Maria High School FFA brought home two state championships for 2015. Students pulled the top spots in the Farm Power and Machinery category and the Milk Quality and Dairy Foods category.
In late April, the Santa Maria High Farm Power team nailed down the state championship for Farm Power and Machinery at the Fresno State FFA Judging Finals. Students Andres Grimaldo, Saul Novoa, and Tristan Cook made up the team. Cook took the High Individual spot. They competed against more than 100 students from 36 teams and were tested on their tractor operation skills, farm safety, and general farm equipment knowledge.
More than 40 Santa Maria High FFA students competed in the California FFA State Judging Finals at Cal Poly, where they won the Milk Quality and Dairy Foods contest. Coached by Mark Powell, the team was made up of students Mariana De Leon, Alondra Novoa, Valentina Santos, and Daisy Bernal. According to a press release, the contest requires the students to identify cheeses, milk fat content, and milk flavors, in addition to taking a general dairy knowledge test.
“Our dedication and hard work finally paid off,” said De Leon, who took the honor of High Individual in the state. The Milk Quality team heads to Louisville, Ky., in October to compete for the national title.
This article appears in May 7-14, 2015.