Red Mountain FFA Experiences Great Success During 2008-2009 State Leadership Conference
Story written by Red Mountain High School student Linda Frear

MESA - July 9, 2009 - As the school year wound down to its final days, the Red Mountain High School AgriScience department and FFA began harvesting the fruits of their labors during the annual State Leadership Conference (SLC) in Tucson.

SLC allows FFA members from all around the state to gather and vote for new state officers, to accept their scholarships and awards that members have worked all year to earn and also to compete. The Red Mountain FFA did an outstanding job this year, winning a variety of awards.

The Red Mountain AgriScience Department and FFA received the National Chapter Award and a gold rating from the Arizona FFA Association. It also was honored as one of the best overall programs in Arizona and will be recognized among the top programs in the nation at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis this fall.

Agriculture programs throughout the nation must carry out at least five activities in the area of student development, chapter development and community development to be eligible for the award. Hosting a "Turkey Bowl" football game while raising money for families in need, collecting food and toys for an animal shelter and giving the special education classes a hands-on gardening and animal tutorial were among a few of the highlighted activities this year.

Earlier this year, the Red Mountain FFA won three state titles in the areas of Floriculture, Nursery and Landscape Management and Aquaculture. At SLC Melissa Rankin was a finalist at the Discussion Meet and was awarded a $100 savings bond from the Arizona Farm Bureau. Rachel Chan, the Chapter Reporter, also competed and was named the top reporter in the state. She put together press releases, managed photos and directed the chapter newsletter during the school year.

Two Red Mountain FFA members received scholarships from the Arizona FFA Association this year. Julio Rivera, Melissa Rankin, Ryan Miller, and Elisa Alberts were among the FFA members from Red Mountain to receive scholarships through the National FFA Organization. Students demonstrating leadership, FFA activity and scholastic abilities are selected for scholarships. The National FFA gives out more than $2 million in scholarships each year to Agriculture and FFA students.

Brandon Walker, former Red Mountain president, was elected as a State officer during the conference. He is the first Red Mountain FFA alumni to become a State FFA officer. In his new role, he will provide leadership and training to FFA members throughout the state and serve as an ambassador for agriculture nationwide. Throughout the year Brandon had to go through a grueling process that consisted of a variety of speeches, interviews and tests. Eleven FFA members make up the state FFA officer team.

Congratulations also to Red Mountain FFA members Walker, Melissa Rankin, Sam Flahiff and Coty Vincent for attaining their State FFA Degrees during SLC . The State FFA degree is the highest rank achieved at the state level. Students must have had a supervised agricultural program outside of the classroom for at least three years and kept sound financial records, participated in FFA activities, and maintained a good academic record to be eligible for the state degree.

Red Mountain's AgriScience teachers and FFA advisors are Ray Gless and Tyson Sorensen. The mission of the FFA and AgriScience at Red Mountain is to prepare students for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through Agricultural Education and prepare students for the 21 st century. For more information about Red Mountain AgriScience and FFA, contact Laura Frear, Chapter Reporter or Sorensen at 480-308-7488.