Outstanding
Chapter
East
Nicolaus
FFA
In 1929, with the growing number of
chapters being chartered for FFA, East
Nicolaus had the honor of being the 55th
chapter chartered in California. In 1933,
Mr. James Taresch was the chapter’s first State
FFA Degree Recipient and State FFA Officer.
Since then, participation has skyrocketed and
many traditions continue the East Nicolaus
FFA legacy. Today, there are
135 State Degree recipients,
40 American Degree
recipients, and four past State
Officers.
The East Nicolaus FFA
chapter has thrived so well
all these years because of
the continuous support from
the community. The strength of the chapter is
due to the loyalty and support of the small
community, the members of the chapter try to
show their respect and gratitude by giving
back as much as they can.
With only having about 300 students in
the whole school, 212 of those students are
currently enrolled in Agricultural Education,
making FFA the largest student organization
on campus. This is probably because the
students in the neighboring elementary
schools are incredibly important to the
students in the FFA program. One of the
ways that the East Nicolaus FFA chapter
shows support to the incoming students is
kids look forward to finding eggs filled with
candy, seeing the Easter bunny, and winning
raffle baskets full of toys and goodies.
Providing food for local families in need
is very important to the members of the East
Nicolaus FFA. From adopting a family at
Christmas and creating approximately 20
dinner baskets for the holidays to providing
Farm to Fork on campus; East
Nicolaus FFA members are
ready to serve.
Another program created
through a Senior Project, is
Wool for a Worthy Cause.
Local sheep breeders bring in
their small flocks to the animal
science unit and the students
vaccinate and deworm ewes following being
sheared. The wool is sorted by color and
sacked for the WWC organization to pick up.
The wool is then processed and delivered to a
school for the blind to make blankets and the
blankets are then provided to military families.
The strength of the chapter is
due to the loyalty and support
of the small community...
by hosting the Annual Elementary Basketball
Tournament. By allowing the middle school
students to come and play at the high school,
FFA is giving support to the younger potential
members. East Nicolaus FFA also shows
support to the future FFA members by hosting
an annual Easter Egg Hunt. Every year,
California FFANEWS • Page 4 • Winter 2015
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