Students from Santa Maria, Apple Valley, McArthur, Madera, O’Neals, and Yuba City have been elected by delegates from throughout California to serve on the 2021-2022 State FFA Officer Team. Delegates from each of the 335 FFA Chapters in California met virtually to conduct the business of the California FFA Association. The final action item was the announcement of the new officer team.
Marc Cabeliza, a student at Pioneer Valley High School in Santa Maria, was elected State President. Marc served as a National Convention Delegate, as the South Coast Region Vice President, as a State Leadership Conference Sub Committee Chair, as the Chapter President and was the State Winner in Service Learning. Marc is the first student from Pioneer Valley High School to serve as a State Officer. His FFA Advisors are Natalie Baldwin, Tyler Dickinson, Hector Guerra, Marcie Guerra, Gabriel Ponce and Scott Wonnell.
Hannah Kunkle, a graduate of Apple Valley High School, was elected State Vice President. Hannah served as the Southern Region Vice President, attended the Sacramento Leadership Experience, was a finalist in the Job Interview Leadership Event and served as a facilitator in the Southern Region Chapter Officer Leadership Conference. Hannah is the sixth student from Apple Valley to serve as a State Officer with the most recent serving in 2016-17. Her FFA Advisors are Casey Penfold and Duane Penfold
Paul Horta, a student at Fall River High School in McArthur, was elected State Secretary. Paul served as the Superior Region President, was a Delegate to the National FFA Convention, served on the 2020 State Nominating Committee and was the Chapter President. Paul is the seventh student at Fall River High School to serve as a State Officer with the most recent officer being in 2016-17. His FFA Advisors are Rick Neugebauer and Renee Reed.
Lesly Madriz, a student at Madera South High School in Madera, was elected State Treasurer. Lesly served as the San Joaquin Region Secretary, was a National FFA Convention Delegate, served as a State FFA Conference Sub Committee Chair, was the State Winner in the Job Interview Leadership Development Event and was the Agricultural Education State Proficiency Award Winner. Lesly is the eleventh student from Madera FFA to serve as a State Officer with the most recent serving in 1967-68. Her FFA Advisors are Felipe Barrientos, Hannah Bianchi, Tim Deniz, Brianna Ellis, Brent George, Crystal Luera, Julie Luxon, Christopher Sharp and Kristin Sheehan.
Jake Dowell, a student at Minarets High School in O’Neals, was elected State Reporter. Jake was the State Awards Committee Chair, a member of the State Champion Novice Parliamentary Procedure Team, served as the San Joaquin Region Sentinel and was a National Convention Delegate. Jake is the first student at Minarets High School to serve as a State FFA Officer. His FFA Advisors are Richard Chapman, Keeley Hall, Sydney Keen, Kristann Mattes and Eduardo Rubio
Reagan Denny, a student at Yuba City High School, was elected State Sentinel. Reagan served as the Superior Region Vice President, as the Sierra Buttes Section President, attended Girls State, was a three-time State Speaking Finalist and was a National FFA Convention Delegate. Reagan is the second student from Yuba City to serve as a State FFA Officer with the other individual having served in 1959-60. Her FFA Advisors are Scott Batchelder, Eileen Desmond and Stacey Dutra.
Each year during the State FFA Leadership Conference, six students are elected by delegates to represent the association as state officers. State officers commit to a year of service to the California Association FFA. Each officer travels more than 20,000 miles to interact with business and industry leaders; thousands of FFA members and teachers; corporate sponsors; government and education officials; state FFA leaders; the general public; and more. The team will lead personal growth and leadership training conferences for FFA members throughout California and help set policies that will guide the future of FFA and promote agricultural literacy.
For more information contact Mr. Dane White, Assistant State FFA Advisor, California Association FFA at dwhite@cde.ca.gov.
