By Lyla Maldonado, Arbuckle FFA Reporter
ARBUCKLE, CA (MPG) – Arbuckle FFA members, parents and staff gathered May 28 in the Pierce High School multipurpose room for the chapter’s annual year-end banquet to celebrate the accomplishments of the 2025-26 school year.
The multipurpose room was filled with members and supporters. Among those attending was State FFA Reporter Tessa Camacho. Students created a welcome poster recognizing her visit.
The banquet recognized the achievements of members while also honoring chapter staff and highlighting the memories, fellowship and skills gained throughout the year. Current officers presented awards to members and staff, incoming officers served food and assisted with cleanup, and the kitchen crew prepared the meal.
Throughout the evening, members and staff were recognized for their accomplishments. Chapter Degree recipients received certificates and pins, with 54 students from all four grade levels earning the honor. Many members also received pins for maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Juniors and seniors who earned the State FFA Degree had previously received their certificates and were recognized again during the banquet. Seniors were presented with yellow corduroy stoles featuring the blue FFA emblem. Twenty members wore the stoles during graduation ceremonies June 5. In addition, 76 members received blue cords recognizing four years of participation in FFA.
Outstanding Ag Mechanics Student awards were presented to Brandon Weber and Kevin Lievanos. Weber and Eduardo Escobar earned Tier 2 welding certifications, along with Lievanos. Weber and Jonny Chavez received Power Mechanics awards. Chavez also earned recognition as an outstanding shop student as he prepares for a career in the trades.
Community members Tim Cain, Lauren Ornbaum and George Green received honorary membership and appreciation awards. Austin Cline and Weston LaGrande received buckles for proficiency awards, with Cline advancing to the state level. Former member Tristan Miller also received a buckle in recognition of a proficiency award opportunity lost during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Star award recipients included Sean Gomez, Star Greenhand; Addison Jansen, Star Chapter Farmer; Weston LaGrande, Outstanding Junior; and Thomas Sweet, Outstanding Senior. LaGrande was also recognized as the chapter’s high-point member, earning the most participation points throughout the year.
Arbuckle FFA fielded five competitive teams during the school year: Novice Parliamentary Procedure, Advanced Parliamentary Procedure, Farm Power, Small Engines and Ag Mechanics. Advisors recognized team members during the banquet and, in some cases, presented gifts.
Advisor Megan Tenhunfeld was honored with gifts from the officer team as she prepares to step away from teaching to stay home with her child after its birth. Treasurer Abram Carillo delivered remarks recognizing her contributions to the chapter.
The outgoing officer team included seniors Nathan Gomez, president; Anahi Ruiz, vice president; and Valeria Moreno, secretary. The officers delivered retirement addresses reflecting on their experiences and memories in the chapter.
New officers were installed with words of encouragement from their predecessors. The 2026-27 officer team includes President Rafael Garcia, Vice President Sophia Barajas, Secretary LucaBella Nolen, Treasurer Micah Joel, Reporter Lyla Maldonado, Sentinel Natalee Gaspariano, Historian Olivia Dudley and Parliamentarian Sean Gomez.
The new officers will attend a leadership retreat in July to prepare for the coming year. Arbuckle FFA members and advisors expressed appreciation to parents, sponsors and community supporters whose continued involvement helps sustain the chapter’s success.