Tulare, Calif., (January 4, 2018) – Tulare County Farm Bureau will give away 37 blue-corduroy FFA jackets to local students through the Blue Jacket Bonanza program. Blue Jacket Bonanza, launched in 2012, was developed to provide area students involved in FFA, who may not have the financial means, a chance to earn their own uniform jacket.
To be granted a jacket the students completed an application process, participated in personal interviews with the Blue Jacket Bonanza selection committee and have completed set hours of community service.
“These outstanding students have earned their very own FFA jacket to wear at the various FFA events and activities they plan to take part in during their high school career,” said TCFB President Roger Everett.
Students will be recognized and awarded their jackets at a special awards night on Jan. 18, at the Tulare County Office of Education in Visalia.
“This program provides a way for Farm Bureau to make an investment in young people who are motivated and excited to further their education in agriculture through the Future Farmers of America,” stated Everett.
FFA helps the next generation rise up to meet tomorrow’s challenges. Its members explore their interests and develop their own unique skills and talents through FFA activities, career development events and competitions. By helping to prepare the leaders of tomorrow, Farm Bureau is guaranteeing a brighter future for all.
The program is made possible through generous donors including: Bank of the Sierra, Dennis and Julie Cates, Pixley Lion’s Club, Porterville Breakfast Lion’s Club, Tulare County Cattlewomen, Tulare Kings CWA, White Gold Dairy and the Tulare County Farm Bureau’s Education and Scholarship Charitable Fund.
Donors this year also provided funds for a Fire Relief Fund, to help replace jackets in fire impacted areas. News of those awards will be made in a separate release.
The following students are the Blue Jacket Bonanza recipients for this year:
Jason Alcorn, Woodlake FFA
Ene Armenta, Woodlake FFA
Izaiah Benavides, Woodlake FFA
Xavier Bocanegra, Woodlake FFA
Max Brown, Tulare FFA
Rolando Casas, El Diamante FFA
Karla Castillo, El Diamante FFA
Rylee Cooper, Exeter FFA
Ashley Crabtree, Porterville FFA
Parker Davis, Woodlake FFA
Carla De La Mora, Tulare FFA
Nadia DeDad, Tulare FFA
Carrieann Earles, Tulare FFA
Shantel Escobar, Tulare FFA
Gabriela Gaytan-Llerenas, Tulare FFA
David Gomez, VTEC FFA
Ashlyn Gomez, Tulare FFA
Isabel Guzman, Exeter FFA
Kevin Hofstee, Tulare FFA
Whitney Iskenderian, VTEC FFA
Amelia Kline, Tulare FFA
Kristen Ledesma, Woodlake FFA
Andrew Leon, Woodlake FFA
Brian Limon, Tulare FFA
Beneda Loya, Woodlake FFA
Hannah Mahony, Exeter FFA
Emily Martinez, Woodlake FFA
Alyssa Mendez, Woodlake FFA
Jessica Millaris, Tulare FFA
Alexis Morales, Woodlake FFA
Clarissa Najera, Tulare FFA
Dafne Pamplona-Quiroz, Dinuba FFA
Emalee Pickens, VTEC FFA
Nate Reeves, Woodlake FFA
Alejandra Sandoval, Woodlake FFA
Kailey Silva, Tulare FFA
Samantha Traeger, VTEC FFA
Tulare County is the leading dairy county in the nation and a top agricultural producer in California. The Tulare County Farm Bureau represents more than 1,500 family farmers and is dedicated to promoting and enhancing the viability of Tulare County agriculture on behalf of its membership.
