Student Leadership
Elected annually by delegates from each FFA chapter in California, the State FFA Officer team’s purpose is to inspire and lead their peers, shepherding the FFA component of the program. With the needs of over 104,000 of their fellow members at heart, the team sets intentions and creates programming with the desire to move the association forward and serve the needs of their peers as well as the agriculture industry.
Officers delay college for a year in order to serve their term, basing their operations out of the California FFA Center in Galt.
Camille Zavala is from the Kingsburg FFA Chapter. Throughout high school, Camille participated in Impromptu and Job Interview public speaking, BIG, Vine Pruning and Floral Design CDE/LDE contests. For her SAE projects, she worked as a camp rancher at a summer camp in the mountains of Scotts Valley, had a breeding Boer goat production project and is the owner of her own floral design business, Hollyhock Florals.
Outside the FFA, Camille enjoys road trips, cooking, crafting, buying vintage clothing and writing letters to her pen pals.
Three fun facts about Camille: She has a cat named Flora, owns 6 pairs of overalls and loves roller blading (especially with her dad!)
Her favorite place is Cayucos Beach. Her family visited every summer when she was growing up, spending a chunk of her birthdays there with her grandparents and cousins. Her favorite activities were boogie boarding, walking the pier and visiting the Sea Shanty for ice cream pie.
Email Address: czavala@californiaffa.org
John Dein, a graduate of the very small Turlock Christian FFA Chapter has been elected State Vice President. Between Ag Issues, Cooperative Marketing, and Impromptu, John raised swine as his SAE throughout high school. Outside of the FFA, John loves playing tennis, riding his skateboard, and gaming with his best friends Case, Ben, and Josiah.
Three fun facts about John: He loves cooking/eating all things meat, he is the biggest Cristiano Ronaldo fan, and his favorite movie is Jurassic World.
Some of John’s fondest memories growing up were all of the backpacking trips he and his family did together on the Pacific Crest Trail every summer.
Email Address: jdein@californiaffa.org
Gianna Gonzalez, a graduate of the Hilmar FFA Chapter has been elected State Secretary. Between Dairy Products Judging, Creed, Impromptu, Job Interview public speaking, Gianna raised market goats as her SAE throughout high school. Outside of the FFA, Gianna enjoys hanging out with her friends, watching movies at home on rainy days, and reading a good book.
Three fun facts about Gianna: She has gone swimming with stingrays, her favorite color is pink, and she has a German Shepherd named Otis!
Her favorite time of the year is Fall, more specifically Thanksgiving, because she loves to make (and eat) all the pumpkin flavored desserts and spend time with her family!
Email Address: ggonzalez@californiaffa.org
Melissa Lua-Duarte is from the Santa Maria FFA chapter and is serving as this year's State Treasurer! Throughout high school Melissa stayed busy participating in Creed, Impromptu, Extemporaneous and Prepared LDE speaking contests, Fruit Tree Pruning, Nursery Landscape, and also raised market turkeys and hogs. Outside of FFA, Melissa enjoys baking & cooking, going on road trips, and spending time with her family & friends.
Three fun facts about Melissa are: She doesn’t know how to swim, her favorite hobby is shopping, and she has three dogs, Dimples, Dina, and Sol.
Her favorite foods are her grandma’s tamales and Cochinita Pibil dish, as it reminds her of her winters spent in Mexico with her family.
Email Address: mlua-duarte@californiaffa.org
Joshua Wolford is a graduate from the O’neals Minarets FFA Chapter. He played an active role in multiple competition teams including Citrus Judging, Ag Cooperatives and Marketing, Parliamentary Procedure, Creed, Impromptu, and Extemporaneous Speaking. Josh managed breeding goats for his SAE project and continues his herd today. Outside of FFA Josh enjoys skiing on the slopes in China Peak, fishing, and going to the lake with friends.
Three fun facts about Josh; his hair color was red as a baby, he is terrified of heights, and he taught himself how to play guitar.
His favorite restaurant is Panda Express is his favorite menu item is the classic orange chicken.
Email Address: jwolford@californiaffa.org
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