Session Six: Fueling the Flame (April 5, 2025)
Hosted by the CA FFA State Treasurer and State Sentinel
Keynote Speaker: Abigale Jacobsen, National FFA Western Regional Vice President
Session six of the California FFA State Leadership Conference, Fueling the Flame, was packed with energy, gratitude, and heartfelt moments. The session began with an upbeat pre-session, complete with the FFA DJ, the dance cam, and spirited interactions that energized the crowd of 7,246 members and 719 voting delegates.
Session chairs Joshua Wolford and Melissa Lua Duarte welcomed attendees with a special tribute to the state officers' parents. Parents were invited onstage and surprised with heartfelt video messages from their children, shown in both English and Spanish. In a touching tribute, these dedicated supporters were also awarded Honorary State FFA Degrees.
The celebration continued with the announcement of Leadership Development Event (LDE) winners in impromptu speaking and job interview contest. Members were also recognized for excellence in proficiency areas such as poultry production, veterinary science, and landscape management.
Courtesy Corps members were acknowledged for their service, and the session featured a fun chicken wing hot sauce challenge and interview between Melissa Lua Duarte and Abigale Jacobsen. Jacobsen left members with a simple but powerful message for first-year students: “Just say yes.”
The session spotlighted FFA talent, including folklórico dancers, musicians, and standout vocalists, culminating in a vote for the state talent show winner. Elliott Kramer and Courtney Bower from Galt FFA were named talent winners for their violin and piano performance.
The heart of the session was the retiring address of State President Camille Zavala. In Turning the Page, she shared how journaling, a habit she began in fourth grade and later resumed thanks to a friend’s gift, helped her process self-doubt—especially on the day she was elected. Encouraged by stories from chapters like Lindhurst, West Valley Hemet, and Potter Valley, Camille found her voice. She closed with, “As I flip through these pages, the only thing that feels right to say is thank you.”
In a moving jacket exchange, Joshua Wolford and the rest of the officer team honored Camille’s ability to lead with empathy and lift up others. The session concluded with the FFA closing ceremonies, marking the end of a powerful evening of celebration, reflection, and connection.
