News | Santa Maria Joint Union High School District

The Santa Maria High School FFA is the 2015 State Champion in Milk Quality & Dairy Foods and in Farm Power & Machinery.

The FFA captured the first of the recent awards during the Milk Quality and Dairy Food contest in the California FFA State Judging Finals at Cal Poly State University last weekend.

More than 40 students participated in the contest that requires them to identify cheeses, milk fat content, and milk flavors in addition to taking a general dairy knowledge test, according to Shannon Powell of the school’s Agriculture Department.

The team consisted of Mariana De Leon, Alondra Novoa, Valentina Santos and Daisy Bernal. Mariana De Leon is the High Individual in the state.

“Our dedication and hard work finally paid off, we are state champions and will definitely represent California proudly at Nationals,’’ De Leon said.

The Santa Maria FFA Milk Quality team will compete October 28th - 30th for the National title in Louisville, Kentucky.

“What these girls accomplished is a product and testament to their work ethic, commitment and more importantly to not being afraid to have big dreams and go after them,’’ said Coach Mark Powell.

In late April, at the Fresno State FFA Judging Finals, the Santa Maria FFA Farm Power team won the State Championship in Farm Power & Machinery.

The team included Andres Grimaldo, Saul Novoa and Tristian Cook, who was the High Individual in the state in Farm Power.

There were more than 100 students from 36 teams that competed and the students were tested on their tractor operations, farm safety, general farm equipment knowledge, in addition to trouble-shooting, according to Shannon Powell. They were coached by Mr. Luis Guerra.

Also, Senior Daniel Carlon took home the High-Individual in the Floral Designs Contest. Mrs. Amanda Rodriguez was the coach.

Other Santa Maria FFA results include 3rd place in Vegetable Crops Judging, 4th place in Floral Design, 5th place in Land Judging, 7th place in Agronomy, 8th place in Light Horse, 8th place in Poultry, 9th place in Livestock Judging and 12th place in Welding.

There are more than 40 different career development events in California FFA with State Finals at Cal Poly State University and Fresno State University.

The Santa Maria Joint Union High School District has more than 1,500 FFA members at Santa Maria, Righetti and Pioneer Valley High Schools.

NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY: The Santa Maria Joint Union High School District is committed to ensuring equal, fair, and meaningful access to employment and education services. The SMJUHSD does not discriminate in any employment practice, education program, or educational activity on the basis and/or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics of age, ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, ethnic group identifications, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital, family or parental status, medical condition, military or veteran status, nationality, national origin, immigration status, political affiliation, pregnancy and related conditions, race, religion, retaliation, sex (including sexual harassment), sexual orientation, or any other basis prohibited by California state and federal nondiscrimination laws respectively. Not all bases of discrimination will apply to both education services and employment. If you believe you have been subjected to discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying, immediately contact the District’s Discrimination, Equity and Title IX Compliance Officer Mr. Kevin R. Platt at 2560 Skyway Drive, Santa Maria, CA 93455, (805) 922-4573 or kplatt@smjuhsd.org. You may request a copy of SMJUHSD’s Uniform Complaint Procedures, Non-Discrimination Policies, Sexual Harassment Policies or click here.