Sixteen Atwater High School FFA students joined more than 350 students from the California FFA Central Region for the Made For Excellence (MFE), and Advance Leadership Academy (ALA) conference on February 20 and 21 at the Double Tree Hotel in Modesto, California.
This two-day conference is designed primarily for high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors. The MFE curriculum focuses on the personal growth of each individual. Students learned about using conflict resolution techniques appropriately, setting goals, and building self-esteem. Each student created a plan of action which outlined a game plan to accomplish their individual high school and career goals. The ALA course focuses on improving leadership skills, identifying important agriculture issues, and communicating these important aspects to the school and community.
The National and California FFA Organization offer FFA members a series of five leadership and personal growth conferences. Throughout the 2014-2015 school year, the Atwater FFA has sent students to various California locations to participate in the Greenhand Leadership, Made-for-Excellence Leadership, and Advanced Leadership Academy, Sacramento Leadership and Washington DC Leadership conferences.
“We are fortunate to have a strong support network with our school administration, district, and especially the Atwater community who have supported fundraisers that have raised $5,000 to help pay for student conference and transportation fees,” explains Natalie Borba, one of seven currently serving Atwater High School FFA advisors. “Our number one priority is getting students involved and providing them opportunities for scholastic, personal, and career success, and without the support of parents, the Atwater High School administration, and members of the community, we would not be able to provide students the opportunity to participate in these special events.”
Atwater FFA members who attended the leadership conference were (MFE) Courtney Creighton, Julianna Dailey, Madison Hall, Jasmine Flores, Dayana Argueta, Elexa Stamps, Daryl Dorsey, Daniel Mesa, Jeff Clark, Blake Brigham, (ALA) Amanda Skidmore, Emma Reyes, Juliet Montanez, Juan Hernandez, Juan Hurtado, and Andrew Skidmore.
For more information on Atwater FFA, log onto their website at AtwaterFFA.org or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram.