By Piper Lakey, State FFA Reporter
In November, our State Officer Team had the wonderful opportunity to attend several events, beginning with the 96th Annual National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our responsibilities during the convention included being part of the national delegate process. The 2023-2024 state officers, 2022-2023 state officers, and members chosen through an application process served as the assigned delegates to represent California. California, with its 43 voting delegates, holds the second-highest count in the nation, a figure determined by state membership numbers that change each year.
Delegates actively participated in committee meetings, 
exercised their voting rights during the business session, and enjoyed a close-up view of the convention stage. Among our team's cherished moments was witnessing California members receive recognition for their hard work and dedication. We were especially delighted to see Adrian Soto from Santa Rosa, our National Talent winner, deliver a captivating mariachi performance on stage. Another highlight of the National Convention was the Expo, where colleges and businesses showcased opportunities for FFA members in the future.
Following the National Convention, the state officer team set out on chapter visits, dividing into three groups to visit schools across the San Joaquin Region. Austin and Sierra visited Kerman High School, Sydney, and Thomas visited the Clovis FFA Chapter, and Makena and Piper visited Minarets High School. During these visits, officers conducted workshops and explored the agriculture programs at each school.
Recently, the team attended a dinner event for the “Seeds of Impact” initiative, celebrating John and Gail Kautz. The donations raised at this fundraiser will support various FFA programs, including SAE grants, FFA jackets, State Conference scholarships, and more. The very next day, our journey took us to the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, providing us with insights that will help us plan this year’s State FFA Leadership Conference. It’s going to be amazing!
Our team is profoundly thankful for these experiences and the chance to serve California this year.
