KELSEYVILLE >> During the week of April 6-10, Kelseyville FFA celebrated National FFA week at Kelseyville High School. The FFA officer team planned a variety of activities during lunch including a petting zoo, farm Olympics, oxy fuel race car event, plant and welds judging competition, Chicken Poo Bingo, window displays downtown, and a Truck, Car, and Tractor show. The final event was a school-wide rally and the announcement of the FFA Sweetheart Scholarship winner.
The FFA Sweetheart candidates were evaluated in five areas. Interested candidates completed a comprehensive application covering both agriculture and FFA activities throughout their years in the program. Other categories included a penny vote, a vote by the FFA membership and their overall grade point average. The girls were also interviewed by a committee consisting of Vice Principal Mike Jones and high school counselors Areli Chavez and Susan Staglik. Questions covered experiences in both agriculture and FFA.
The winner of the competition was Mary McCallister. During her four years as an FFA member, she has traveled to Kentucky for the National FFA Convention and to Fresno for the State FFA Convention. She has served as the chapter reporter for two years and is currently the FFA President. Mary’s projects included breeding and market beef, market hogs, market lambs, poultry and cavies. She is involved with KCORPS (Kelseyville Community Organization for Rescue and Public Service), Rotary Interact and a member of the Academic Decathlon Team. She played volleyball, basketball and tennis for four years. Mary is also the ASB President at Kelseyville High School.
The other three candidates were Bailey Roberts, Abby McQueen, and Zoe Lynch.
Roberts has attended the State FFA Conference, competed in Opening and Closing Ceremonies, and shown livestock at the Lake County Fair. Her projects have included an extensive horse project, market hogs, and nursery production. She is a member of Big Valley 4-H, the Clearlake Junior Horsemen, the Middletown Rodeo Association and the Middletown Roping Club. She competes regularly with her horse in the High School Rodeo Association.
McQueen participated in the Made for Excellence State FFA Conference, North Coast Region Parliamentary Procedure field day, and competed in the Opening and Closing Ceremonies competition. She recently led tours of the school greenhouse and new Ag barn facilities for over 60 students from the Kelseyville Elementary. Her projects have included nursery production, poultry and breeding sheep. Abigail is a member of KCORPS, Rotary Interact, Associated Student Body, and Varsity Volleyball. She has just finished her requirements to volunteer at Sutter Lakeside Hospital in Labor and Delivery.
Lynch has participated in the Greenhand Conference, Opening and Closing Ceremony competition, and Lake County Fair. Her projects include market lambs, horse, nursery production and a work experience project for the Keithly ranch. Zoe has been a member of Big Valley 4-H and the Clearlake Junior Horsemen. She volunteers her time assisting with the Pear Festival breakfast and Kiwana’s breakfast. Scholarships for each of the girls will be awarded during the senior awards at the end of the year.
