By Piper Lakey, State FFA Reporter
In a whirlwind of travel, our officer team embarked on a statewide adventure this month, visiting schools across the state. Splitting into pairs, they crisscrossed California, connecting with chapters and helping FFA members develop their leadership skills.
The journey began with the entire team visiting high schools near the FFA Center—Galt, Liberty Ranch, and Elk Grove. The pairs then branched out, with Piper and Sydney visiting Pleasant Grove High School, Austin and Thomas venturing to Sheldon High School, and Sierra and Makena visiting Florin High School.
Heading south, the teams explored coastal schools including Morro Bay, Righetti, Templeton, Santa Maria, Nipomo, and Pioneer Valley. In Santa Maria, the South Coast Chapter Officer Leadership Conference (COLC) came alive with workshops led by regional and state officers, plus a fun-filled lip sync contest. The next day the state officer team and the Corcoran FFA officer team spent the day touring the James G. Boswell operation learning about cotton, pistachios, safflower, and tomatoes.
Further south, Norco welcomed our officers for a dynamic COLC, featuring workshops by regional officers, state officers, past regional leaders, and representatives from Cal Poly, Pomona. After a weekend of planning in Galt, the teams hit the road once more. Piper and Sydney explored Bear River Middle School and Lincoln FFA. Thomas and Austin undertook a six-hour drive to Lone Pine, while Sierra and Makena journeyed north to Santa Rosa High School and the newly established Cardinal Newman FFA Chapter.
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