{ Continued from page 8 }
AGRICULTURAL PROFICIENCY
NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
GRAIN PRODUCTION - PLACEMENT
. . . . . . . . . . JOEL BALTAZAR MENDOZA, HAMILTON CITY FFA
Joel Baltazar Mendoza of the Hamilton City FFA Chapter in
California has a supervised agricultural experience that includes
rice field preparation, planting trials, collecting field data and
harvesting the crop. Starting his freshman year, he began
working with his father as a rice researcher. Starting with simpler
tasks, Joel eventually learned to spray, irrigate, clean and dry
seed, ship and harvest. He hopes to major in plant science
at California State University at Chico. He is supported by his
parents, Lorena and Baltazar, and his FFA advisors, Janice Lohse
and Ryan Bentz. This award is sponsored by BASF.
VETERINARY SCIENCE—ENTREPRENE URSHIP/PLACEMENT
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . KATRINA SIEMS, MORRO BAY FFA
Katrina Siems of the Morro Bay FFA Chapter in California works
for Los Osos Pet Hospital as a kennel technician. Growing up
in a household with several pets, she was drawn to veterinary
science. She feeds boarding animals, walks the dogs, and
cleans up after closing. She eventually took on the responsibilities
of holding dogs for blood draws and giving insulin shots.
Katrina plans to attend the University of California at Davis to
study animal science with the goal of eventually becoming a
veterinarian. She is supported by her parents, Alice and Chris,
and her FFA advisor, Peggy Flynn. This award is sponsored by
the American Veterinary Medical Association, Blue Buffalo and
Tractor Supply Company. •
Recipients are listed in alphabetical order based on
their chapter name:
Grady Ingraham, Alturas - Modoc FFA
Steven Whitmore, Anderson FFA
Hannah Kondratko, Apple Valley FFA
Samuel Looper, Apple Valley FFA
Mary Marsh, Arbuckle - Pierce FFA
Sarah Marsh, Arbuckle - Pierce FFA
Natalia Kolb, Arroyo Grande FFA
Samantha Osiecki, Arroyo Grande FFA
Vincent Rodriguez, Arroyo Grande FFA
Carlos Rosas Beas, Arroyo Grande FFA
Katie Tonascia, Arroyo Grande FFA
Jessie Featherstone, Atascadero FFA
Makala Navarro, Atwater FFA
Amanda Skidmore, Atwater FFA
Andrew Skidmore, Atwater FFA
Erika Ewing, Atwater - Buhach Colony FFA
Casandra Smith, Atwater - Buhach Colony FFA
Mackenzie Zeimet, Bakersfield FFA
Jordian Bartley, Bakersfield - Foothill FFA
Bailey Hall, Bakersfield - Frontier FFA
Juliana Cisneros, Bakersfield - Highland FFA
Victoria Pastrano, Bakersfield - Highland FFA
Ashley Elcano, Bakersfield - Independence FFA
Ethan Francis, Bakersfield - North FFA
{ Continued on page 10 }
California FFANEWS • PAGE 9 • Winter 2017