Selma High’s FFA attended the Big Fresno Fair where they competed against schools and students from all over the valley. This year the fair began on October 4th and ended on the 15th. FFA students worked hard during these days in order to win awards and auction off their animals. Behind these days is a lot of tedious work. Students must arrive at the FFA farm early in the morning, before classes, and also come after school in order to feed and do a daily evaluation on their animals. Along with this, students must also practice showing their animals which includes walking them and preparing their physique.
Students prepare their swine, goats, and sheep for the fair, where all aspects of the animals are judged. On their first day of showing they are judged for market where the judges focus on the animals physique, such as how much meat they sustain. On the second day, the students themselves will be judged.
“We have to have good eye contact with the judges and also focus on not losing control of our animal,” said senior FFA Parliamentarian Officer Valerie Sotelo.
These days create an experience for FFA members. At the fair the FFA students win awards that recognize their hard work. Every livestock exhibition was able to place very high in both their market and showmanship classes this year.
“My experience at the fair this year was amazing. I was able to place in the top two of every class that I went into, as well as win Reserve Heavyweight Champion with my goat,” stated senior FFA President Adaline Barros.
This year FFA placed third overall out of around fifteen FFA chapters which attended this year’s fair. They placed second in their garden display and got first and best of show for their feature booth, which were both put up by their officer team.
Selma High’s floral design team also attended the fair. The class ran by Mrs. Mendes curated their very own floral arrangements to showcase at the fair. Students must focus on detail since they are judged very finely by the judges.
“One of our main goals is to hide the foam as best [as] we can, which is sometimes a little difficult,” said senior Kimberly Sanchez, who is in advanced floral design.
As for the floral design students, their experience has been similar to previous years. They must stick to the theme chosen by the fair. This year’s theme was fall. Students enjoy having creative freedom and seeing their arrangement displayed at the fair as well as viewing arrangements made by students from other schools. While on display, the arrangements’ placement and awards are visible.
“My experience at the fair was very good. It is interesting to see other people’s styles and choice of flower combinations. So far this year, we have entered arrangements in both fairs, [Fresno and Caruthers] I placed in the first place category,” stated advanced floral design senior student Macie Panagos.
The fair keeps the students busy but it is an overall enjoyable time.
“I had a smaller group of students this year, but we all worked really well together. We had a really wonderful year” said FFA advisor Mrs. Mendes.
Sentimental moments do arise when it comes to auctioning their animal. Some of the students build profound relationships with their animals. The days at the fair are the last few moments they get to spend with their animals.
“I will miss and cherish my hog Dolly, but I know I will carry those memories and experiences with me,” expressed senior FFA Parliamentarian Officer Valerie Sotelo.
