The start of third trimester doesn’t only mean the long haul towards summer, but for San Luis Obispo High School FFA students its a push towards state finals.

From Prepared Public Speaking to the Floral Design team, a variety of students have been preparing for their Career Development Event (CDE) or Leadership Development Event (LDE) to try to bring home the blue ribbon at both state finals, LDE’s is in Anaheim, April 22 and 23 and CTE’s in SLO May 1. 

  “We dedicate a lot of our time into developing and improving our skills and we hope to really establish ourselves as a team so that students will be encouraged to try it out,” said senior and Floral Design team member Elena Grant.

  For students like Grant, the preparation and time put into each team has lasted for years. With hours of practice after school, to driving up and down California for Field Days, FFA members prepare to take tests, give sets of reasons, or say numerous speeches. Some of the department teams have already started having success early on in the season. 

  “The Farm Power competition deals with the proper maintenance and operation of heavy machinery. SLO FFA has recently competed at competitions and so far it’s off to a great start,” said junior and Farm Power team member Andrew Prater.

  Earlier in the season in the LDE categories, SLO FFA sent 22 members to sectionals with eleven moving on to regionals. The CDE teams have been traveling to field days, consistently placing with high individuals and overall team placing. 

  “The Ag Sales team is new to the competition but all four of us have been on a team together before so we are looking forward to competing together again. Everyone on the team are best buddies and we work well together so we hope to make it far in the state competition this year,” said junior and Ag Sales team member Sara McDonald. 

  SLOHS Expressions wishes the SLO FFA members the best of luck this year in all their competitions!