by Emma Bloodworth
This semester has been full of many achievements for Minarets FFA including numerous successes in competitions, as well as a great turnout in FFA meetings and banquets.
At our virtual Fall Banquet on Nov. 12 and 13, the department recognized last year's top freshman, top sophomore, top juniors and top seniors and celebrated the individuals with point-awards. There was also a virtual FFA Creed Speaking Competition that was open for freshman to compete in; the awards and placings were then announced later on in the banquets video. The upcoming Greenhand Officers were also announced at the banquet, and put into their respective spots.
Minarets FFA also hosted on Nov. 14 a virtual competition for Natural Resources and numerous Speaking competitions. Our chapter had four students go to compete, alongside numerous students from school all over our section. In the impromptu Competition sophomore Adrienne Hall placed 1st and sophomore Paige Camacho had placed 4th. Freshman Josh Wolford placed 6th alongside freshman Acacia Edeluchel who placed 7th in the Creed Speaking competition.
In the Natural Resources Competition, Minarets was unable to compete in Natural Resources, but the outcome from the other students that had competed was great with Forest Hill High taking first place. These two virtual competitions had numerous chapter members volunteer and help run the contest Zoom Rooms, which made the virtual competition smooth and successful for all in attendance.
With hard work and dedication, our chapter won the Outstanding Department Award in the Large Department category for the San Joaquin Region. “I can’t believe we won this award! We’ve never received it before at the Sectional level, so it’s really exciting that we also won the Regional level. I’m really proud!” explained Ag advisor Kelley Hall. Congratulations to Ag advisors Kristi Mattes, Richard Chapman, Keeley Hall, Sydney Keen, Eduardo Rubio, and our fall student teacher, Trevor Autry on this award!