Reporter's Corner
Floral Contest
2/10/24
On February 10th, a few members of the new Floriculture class competed in a Floral competition at the Bakersfield College Field Day. The team included Zowey Witt, Emma Faeth, Nylan Marvin, and Brielle Peters. They ended up placing in the top 10! Thank you to Bakersfield College for hosting, and congratulations to the students; great job representing Sierra’s new class!
Submitted by Mya Woodward, Sierra FFA Reporter
EFM Sectional Speaking
2/7/24
On February 7th, many Sierra FFA members showed off their speaking skills at the EFM Speaking Competition! Skylar Pearson, Audrey Luke, and Peyton Hare competed in the Creed contest, where they recited the FFA Creed written by E.M. Tiffany and were asked 3 questions pertaining to the Creed, and Skylar received 3rd overall. Ariana Rodriguez competed in Spanish Creed, and received 3rd place overall. Taylin Stoops participated in Impromptu, where she was asked a question related to FFA and had a certain amount of time to think of a response she thought was best. Jack Thornton and Ella Ruland participated in Prepared speaking, where they both wrote a speech and demonstrated on a chosen topic and Ella placed 4th overall while Jack got 5th. Paige Beard, Adieson Glass, Catriona Brown, and Rylee Osterberg competed in the Job Interview contest and Paige received 2nd and Adieson received 3rd overall! Skylar, Ariana, Ella, Paige, and Adieson will all advance to Regional speaking. Congratulations to all of the students.
Submitted by Mya Woodward, Sierra FFA Reporter
Donkey Bball & Rodeo Date Change
Donkey Basketball is right around the corner! The new date is March 4th in the Large Gym at Sierra High School at 6:00 pm, be sure to put it in your calendar. Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased from ag students--each ticket is $6.00 in advance or $7.00 at the door. The Mother’s Day Rodeo is also coming up shortly, the new date is May 18th. We hope to see you there!
Submitted by Mya Woodward, Sierra FFA Reporter
Minarets Parli Pro
1/27/24
On January 27th, both the Novice Advanced Parliamentary Procedure teams attended the Minarets invitational competition. This contest also determined East-Fresno Madera Section placing. The Novice team placed 1st overall, as well as 1st in the section. Kyle Paloutazian, Dalton King, and Luke Brown all received High Chair awards overall and in the section. The Advanced team placed 2nd in the section, and Jade Hild received High Chair overall and in the section. Congratulations to everyone and thank you to Minarets High School for hosting!
Submitted by Mya Woodward, Sierra FFA Reporter
Natural Resources State Finals
1/20/24
On January 20th, the Natural Resources team attended the state finals competition at Reedley College. This contest includes Species ID, Mule Packing, a team presentation on a chosen topic, and a knowledge test on California. The team consists of Ronan Pike, Luke Brown, James Snyder, and Mya Woodward, and they placed 5th overall! Thank you to the students who represented Sierra FFA and a special thank you to Reedley College for hosting.
Submitted by Mya Woodward, Sierra FFA Reporter
Minarets Field Day
1/13/24
On January 13th, several students attended a field day at Minarets High School. The Natural Resources team competed, consisting of Ronan Pike, Luke Brown, James Snyder, and Mya Woodward. This contest includes Species ID, Mule Packing, a team presentation on a chosen topic, and a knowledge test on California. James Snyder received 3rd overall in Animal ID! Paige Beard, Adie Glass, and Catriona Brown participated in the Job Interview contest, with Paige placing 1st overall! Lastly, Skylar Pearson and Audrey Luke competed in the Creed contest, where participants are asked to recite the FFA Creed and answer questions following. Thank you to the students who represented Sierra, and thank you to Minarets High School for hosting.
Submitted by Mya Woodward, Sierra FFA Reporter
Fabrication Contest
12/15/23
On December 15th, 4 of Sierra FFA’s members attended a fabrication contest at Reedley College. The team consisted of William Hutchinson, Lawson Collier, Jesse Van Acken, and Wyatt Gibson. They decided to create a BBQ Smoker, and tied for 1st place with Caruthers for the most unique design, and placed 4th overall. Fabrication coach Rich Vandenack said “ It was amazing to see this team try to pull off the impossible build with only 6 hours.” Great job representing Sierra and thank you to Reedley College for hosting!
Submitted by Mya Woodward, Sierra FFA Reporter
BIG/CA Water Issues
11/29/23
On November 29th, Sierra FFA had two different teams attend contests at Sanger High School. A CA Water Issues Contest, and the Best Informed Greenhand (BIG) Team. CA Water Issues is a competition where participants will take a test about history, water laws and policies in the state of California, and BIG is a long test on questions regarding the FFA, trying to determine who the best informed Greenhand student is. The Water Quality team placed 2nd overall, with Logan King being rewarded 5th overall individual. The BIG team placed 2nd overall as well, and Tehya Staley received 5th overall individual. Congratulations, and great job representing Sierra!
Submitted by Mya Woodward, Sierra FFA Reporter
Sign Up For Cornhole Tournament!
12/1/23
Get ready for fun at Sierra FFA’s Cornhole Tournament! Join us on December 1st at 6 pm in the Sierra High School Big Gym. Whether you’re a pro or a beginner, everyone is welcome! To sign up for a team, scan the QR code! Secure your spot for a chance to win a prize and have a blast with your community. We hope to see you there!
Submitted by Mya Woodward, Sierra FFA Reporter
Fabrication Contest
10/27/23
Multiple Sierra students attended a Fabrication contest at Yosemite High on October 27th and did not disappoint! Jesse Van Acken, Sam Paloutazian, Wyatt Gibson, and Zowey Witt all worked hard to show off their skills in competition and ended up placing 1st out of 32 teams! They won a new welder and an amazing title for Sierra FFA. Special thank you to Yosemite High School and Jeff Kirby for hosting.
Submitted by Mya Woodward, Sierra FFA Reporter
Annual One-day Woodcut
11/5/23
Sierra FFA had a very successful One-Day Woodcut! With 30 members in attendance, our goal was to cut 15 cords of wood. We surpassed our goal and ended up cutting 18. Students who participate are able to earn money towards their Supervised Agricultural Experience, or SAE, and can earn their top off for their animal from Fresno Fair. They can also receive money to save and put towards attending State Convention. Thank you to Nick Terrio for coordinating the woodcut.
Submitted by Mya Woodward, Sierra FFA Reporter
Degree Ceremony
10/25/23
Many students show up every year to receive their new degrees at the Degree Ceremony for the next step in their FFA journey. This year, 10 young students received their Discovery Degree. The requirements for this degree are: you must be enrolled in an Ag class for at least a portion of the school year while in grades 7-8. 22 students received their Greenhand Degree. The requirements for this degree are: you must be regularly enrolled in a vocational education course for an Ag occupation and have satisfactory plans for a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE), learn and explain the FFA Creed, Motto, Salute, and FFA Mission Statement; you must describe the FFA emblem, colors, and symbols. 6 students received their Chapter Degrees. Requirements for this degree are: must have received your Greenhand Degree, Satisfactorily completed 180 hours (or the equivalent) of systematic school instruction in ag education at or above the 9th grade level, have an approved SAE in operation, participated in the planning and implementing of at least 3 FFA chapter activities, earned and invested at least $150 or have worked at least 45 hours outside of scheduled class time for their SAE, effectively led a group discussion for 15 minutes, demonstrated 5 parliamentary law procedures, and complete a minimum 10 hours of community service activities. Once the ceremony was over, everyone had dinner potluck style. Congratulations to all of the degree recipients!
Submitted by Mya Woodward, Sierra FFA Reporter
Fresno Fair
10/4-16/23
Multiple Sierra FFA and 4H students attended the Fresno Fair to exhibit their animals. For an entire week students worked hard to show off their progress with their animals and get buyers. They did an excellent job representing Sierra! Here are the placings for Sheep: Aiden Romero - 1st in Market Class, James Snyder - 1st in Market Class, Wyatt Berna - 2st in Market Class, Luke Brown - 1st in Market Class, Brandon Beatty - 1st in Market Class, Gabi Watt - 3rd in Market Class, Kayden Blasingame - 1st in Market Class and 2nd in Novice Showmanship. Rylee Osterberg - Champion Hampsire, 1st in Class Market Lamb, 2nd in Class Breeding Ewe, Champion Intermediate Showman, Champion Pen of 2 Market Lambs, and 5th Overall Intermediate Round Robin. Paige Beard - 1st in Class Market Lamb, Champion 1st in Class Market Lamb, Champion Natural Market Lamb, Reserve Grand Champion FFA Lamb, 1st in Class Breeding Ewe, Supreme Champion Production Ewe, Reserve Champion Advanced Sheep Showman, and Reserve Champion Pen of 2 Ewe Lambs.
Placings for Swine: Evan DeLuca - 7th in Market Class, Lexi Kirkpatrick - 6th in Market Class, Sienna Williamson - 5th in Market Class, Wyatt Ferguson - 4th in Market Class, David Torres - 4th in Market Class, Reece Mullet - 3rd in Market Class, Kennedy Turner - 5th in Market Class, Hailey Witt - 1st in Market Class, Ayden Deaton - 6th in Market Class and 6th Overall Showman, Aurora Parker - 1st and 7th in Market Class and 5th Overall Showman, Luke Brown - 7th in Market Class and 3rd Overall Showman, Lawson Collier - 6th in Market Class and 4th Showman in Class, Zowey Witt - 2nd in Market Class with Duroc, 2nd in Market Class with Dark, 10th Overall Showman and 1st in Class, Adieson Glass - Reserve Champion FFA Market Hog, Reserve Grand Champion Market Hog, Supreme Champion FFA Advanced Hog Showman, Supreme Breeding Hogged, and Reserve Dark Cross Champion.
Placings for Cattle: Hunter Greer - 2nd in Class AOC, Logan King - 1st in Class AOC, Samantha Paloutazian - 2nd Class Black X, Dalton King - 2nd in Class Black X, Luke Brown - Reserve Champion Feeder Steer, Peyton Hare - Reserve Champion Feeder Steer, Paige Beard - Supreme Champion Breeding Female.
Placings for Goats: Oscar Glass - FFA Reserve Champion Meat Goat, Champion Lightweight Goat (bred by OG), Champion Superheavy Weight Goat, Reserve Grand Champion Breeding Doe, Champion Frosh/Sophomore Showman,and 2nd Place Frosh/Sophomore Round Robin.
Congratulations to everyone!
Placings for Swine: Evan DeLuca - 7th in Market Class, Lexi Kirkpatrick - 6th in Market Class, Sienna Williamson - 5th in Market Class, Wyatt Ferguson - 4th in Market Class, David Torres - 4th in Market Class, Reece Mullet - 3rd in Market Class, Kennedy Turner - 5th in Market Class, Hailey Witt - 1st in Market Class, Ayden Deaton - 6th in Market Class and 6th Overall Showman, Aurora Parker - 1st and 7th in Market Class and 5th Overall Showman, Luke Brown - 7th in Market Class and 3rd Overall Showman, Lawson Collier - 6th in Market Class and 4th Showman in Class, Zowey Witt - 2nd in Market Class with Duroc, 2nd in Market Class with Dark, 10th Overall Showman and 1st in Class, Adieson Glass - Reserve Champion FFA Market Hog, Reserve Grand Champion Market Hog, Supreme Champion FFA Advanced Hog Showman, Supreme Breeding Hogged, and Reserve Dark Cross Champion.
Placings for Cattle: Hunter Greer - 2nd in Class AOC, Logan King - 1st in Class AOC, Samantha Paloutazian - 2nd Class Black X, Dalton King - 2nd in Class Black X, Luke Brown - Reserve Champion Feeder Steer, Peyton Hare - Reserve Champion Feeder Steer, Paige Beard - Supreme Champion Breeding Female.
Placings for Goats: Oscar Glass - FFA Reserve Champion Meat Goat, Champion Lightweight Goat (bred by OG), Champion Superheavy Weight Goat, Reserve Grand Champion Breeding Doe, Champion Frosh/Sophomore Showman,and 2nd Place Frosh/Sophomore Round Robin.
Congratulations to everyone!
Submitted by Mya Woodward, Sierra FFA Reporter
Sierra Classic
9/27/23
Sierra Classic had a great turnout this year! Many young showmen came to get practice for the upcoming Fresno Fair, and get tips to help better themselves for any shows. For Beef, Peyton Hare received 1st Novice showman, and Samantha Paloutazian received 1st for Advanced. For Swine, Luke Brown won 1st Novice showman, and Addieson Glass won 1st in Advanced. Lastly, for Sheep, James Snyder placed 1st in Novice, and Paige Beard won 1st for Advanced. Congratulations to all of the winners, and good luck to everyone for Fresno!
Submitted by Mya Woodward, Sierra FFA Reporter
Annual Two-Day Woodcut 2023
9/9-10/2023
The Two-Day Woodcut is an annual Sierra FFA event where we head up to Shaver for two days, and camp by the lake that night! We use teamwork to cut multiple cords of wood, stack them into trucks, and then deliver that wood to families who have bought from us. Last year, we were able to cut 25 cords all together, and this year we made it our goal to cut 30. We surpassed that goal by cutting 40 cords in just a short two days! Many parents and Sierra FFA Alumni came up to help, and active members received money to put towards their Supervised Agricultural Experiences or attending FFA conventions. Thank you to everyone who came out to work in the hot sun and show your support to Sierra, and a special thank you to Melissa Witt, who cooked for all of our participants, and Nick Terrio for coordinating the Woodcut!
Submitted by Mya Woodward, Sierra FFA Reporter
Submitted by Mya Woodward, Sierra FFA Reporter
California Youth Ag Expo/State Fair
In early August, 5 Sierra FFA students attended the California Youth Ag Expo. CYAE is a 4 day event, and it’s open to all youth cattle, sheep, goats and swine exhibitors from all across the state. Rylee Osterberg placed 7th and 5th in her class with her two Market lambs. Her Breeding Ewe placed 4th in class, and she also received 12th overall in intermediate sheep showmanship. Logan King placed 1st in class with his Market Steer, and his Breeding Heifer also received 1st in class. Dalton King placed 4th in class with his Market Steer. Oscar Glass placed 4th in class with his Market Wether, and his two Breeding Does received 1st and 3rd. He was in the top 5 overall in intermediate goat showmanship. Adieson Glass placed 3rd overall with her China Poland Market Barrow.
In mid July, three FFA students also worked hard to show their animals at State Fair. Paige Beard showed 3 production ewes–they received 4th, 5th, and 7th in class and 6th overall in advanced sheep showmanship. Rylee Oserberg won 2nd in class with her Market Lamb, 1st in AOB production, and 9th in FFA advanced showmanship. Adieson Glass received Champion FFA Berkshire Barrow and 3rd Overall Advanced Showman. Every student worked hard and did an amazing job representing Sierra!
Submitted by Mya Woodward, Sierra FFA Reporter
In mid July, three FFA students also worked hard to show their animals at State Fair. Paige Beard showed 3 production ewes–they received 4th, 5th, and 7th in class and 6th overall in advanced sheep showmanship. Rylee Oserberg won 2nd in class with her Market Lamb, 1st in AOB production, and 9th in FFA advanced showmanship. Adieson Glass received Champion FFA Berkshire Barrow and 3rd Overall Advanced Showman. Every student worked hard and did an amazing job representing Sierra!
Submitted by Mya Woodward, Sierra FFA Reporter