Thirteen Kelseyville FFA members were awarded the State Degree by the California FFA Association State officers at a special ceremony on March 27 at Livermore High School. All 13 recently submitted two or more years of record books to the Mendo/Lake FFA section scoring committee where they were verified and approved. The State Degree is bestowed upon FFA members who have developed and maintained strong agriculturally based projects for more than two years.
To receive a State FFA Degree, members must meet the following requirements: active FFA member for at least two years, completed two years of systematic school instruction in secondary agricultural education, earned and productively invested $1,000 and worked 300 hours outside of school class time in a Supervised Agriculture Experience (SAE).
Other requirements include demonstrate leadership by performing 10 parliamentary law procedures, participate in FFA activities at and above the chapter level, give a six minute agriculturally related speech or lead a 40 minute discussion, serve as an FFA officer, committee member, or committee chairperson, and complete 25 hours of community service. The final requirement is have a satisfactory academic record as certified by the principal or superintendent and submit record books verifying project hours, expenses and receipts.
The following KHS Juniors will be recognized in March:
Elias Alvarez earned his degree by working for several ranches harvesting cherries and pears including Orchard View farms in Oregon. Alvarez keeps busy playing soccer, football, track, wrestling, and is a member of KCORPS (Kelseyville Community Organization for Rescue and Public Service). He is currently the KHS FFA Treasurer.
Bryan Alvarez works for his father’s landscaping business. He also raised and sold Cornish/game cross for the Lake County Fair. He has played baseball and has been a member of the Los Amigos Club on campus.
Guadalupe Cacho raised market turkeys for the last two years and sold them at the fair. At the 2014 Lake County Fair her bird won Grand Champion Market Turkey. “Milly” is also a member of the KHS Varsity Soccer and Tennis teams.
Jose Cacho has worked for two summers for Bella Vista Farming pruning and harvesting pears and grapes. Cacho also raised market turkeys and won Reserve Grand Champion at the 2013 Lake County Fair. He is the KHS FFA Historian, plays football for KHS and is a member of the Los Amigos Club.
Eduardo Castellanos raised Cornish game cross birds for the Lake County Fair. He is the KHS FFA co-reporter, a member of the Varsity soccer team and involved with the Lake County CHP Explorer group.
Carson Holdenried has worked for the family business in pears, grapes, hay, and livestock for many years. In 2013, Holdenried started his own custom hay operation called CTH Ranch services. He is the KHS FFA Sentinel and has been involved with KHS baseball and Big Valley 4-H.
Natalio Rojas earned his degree by working with his father pruning, harvesting, and other ranch work. He also raises market turkeys for the Lake County Fair. He has competed and won several wrestling tournaments under the KHS wrestling program. He is also a member of the Lake County CHP Explorers group.
Jared Smith has raised market hogs, a market lamb and a replacement dairy heifer for the fair. He is currently serving as the North Coast FFA Regional Vice President and KHS FFA Vice President. Smith is a member of KCORPS, KHS Academic Decathlon team, Rotary Interact, Big Valley 4-H, and serving as the 2016 Class President.
Juliann Totorica raised market turkeys for the Lake Co. Fair for the last two years. Totorica is serving as the KHS FFA co-chapter reporter, a member of KCORPS, Rotary Interact, and CSF.
Kristina Veach raised Cornish/game cross birds and rabbits for the fair, while also working in the school greenhouse. She is a member of Crossroads Church youth group and served as a camp counselor for Camp Leona.
Three seniors also earned their State Degree. Bailey Roberts is a four year member of Kelseyville FFA. Her projects included horse and market hogs. Roberts is a member of Big Valley 4-H and High School Rodeo district 2. Zoe Lynch is also a four year member of KHS FFA. Her projects include horse, market lambs, and working for the Keithly ranch. She was involved with Big Valley 4-H and Clearlake Junior Horsemen.
Travis Thorn traveled to Kelseyville High School for the Ag Mechanics program at KHS. His projects include working for his family business Clear Lake Redi Mix and raising a market steer for the Lake County Fair. Thorn was a member of the Scott’s Valley 4-H and Clear Lake Junior Horsemen. Travis is interested in enrolling in an agriculture program at an Oregon College.
