Names of Note: Modesto High student helps lead state FFA. Seven named to academies
Reese Gonsalves, soon to graduate from Modesto High School, was elected FFA state treasurer in early May.
She and the other five officers will delay college for a year so they can carry out their duties on behalf of the 80,000-plus members in California. The organization, founded in 1928 as Future Farmers of America, teaches agriculture and leadership skills around the nation.
The officers usually are elected by student delegates at the state FFA convention. The ban on gatherings due to COVID-19 switched that to Zoom interviews where a committee screened 40 candidates for the posts.
Reese just served as president of the FFA chapter at Modesto High. She plans to attend Oklahoma State University after her year in office.
The chapter said it has produced 22 state officers over the years, more than any other in California.
The other new state officers are President Dean Hill of Templeton High School, San Luis Obispo County; Vice President Emma Thorpe of El Capitan High School, San Diego County; Secretary Mia Arisman of Galt High School, Sacramento County; Reporter Taylor Sollecito of Salinas High School; and Sentinel Maico Ortiz of Galt High and Chico State University.
The pandemic also canceled the Stanislaus County Fair, where thousands of FFA and 4-H members had planned to exhibit livestock and other projects.
The management said Friday that it might hold a “virtual” livestock auction rather than the live event planned during the July 10-19 fair. A decision could come in June. For now, the fair is taking signups for beef, sheep, swine and goats at www.stancofair.com. The deadline is May 28.
Academy appointees include sheriff’s son
Service academies have accepted seven students nominated by Rep. Josh Harder, D-Turlock, from his district.
Headed to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, are Jacob Dirkse of Turlock, Htut Khang M Oo of Tracy and Koa Garcia of Tracy. Jacob is the son of Stanislaus County Sheriff Jeff Dirkse, himself a West Point graduate.
The Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs accepted Zachary Eve of Modesto and Brandon Lindner of Tracy.
The Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, accepted Hannah Nunes of Turlock and Bryanna Chaname of Tracy.
Applications for 2021 appointments will be on Harder’s website, www.harderhouse.gov, starting June 1.
Names of Note recognizes people and organizations for their contribution to their communities. Submit items to jholland@modbee.com.
