Student Leadership
Elected annually by delegates from each FFA chapter in California, the State FFA Officer team’s purpose is to inspire and lead their peers, shepherding the FFA component of the program. With the needs of over 100,000 of their fellow members at heart, the team sets intentions and creates programming with the desire to move the association forward and serve the needs of their peers as well as the agriculture industry.
Officers delay college for a year in order to serve their term, basing their operations out of the California FFA Center in Galt.
The State President, Austin Bell, is from Gustine High School. Austin has competed in a multitude of CDE and LDE events including Livestock Judging, Creed, Impromptu, and Extemporaneous public speaking. Outside of the FFA, his interests are golfing and showing sheep at jackpots and national shows.
Three fun facts about Austin are that he has a younger brother named Carson, has to ask Thomas for help to reach the top shelf in the State Officer house and his favorite song is "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue" by Toby Keith.
Austin's favorite holiday tradition is going to Christmas Eve Mass with his family. Afterwards, they have a Christmas party at his house - this is a tradition that was done before he was born.
Email Address: abell@californiaffa.org
Sierra Short, a graduate of the Salinas-Rancho San Juan FFA Chapter has been elected State Vice President. Between Vegetable Judging, Livestock Judging, Creed, Impromptu, and Job Interview public speaking, Sierra raised swine as her SAE throughout high school. Outside of the FFA, Sierra enjoys going to Fresno State football games, hanging out with friends and going to baseball games.
Three fun facts about Sierra: She can't straighten her pinkies, she doesn't have all of her tastebuds and she has two yellow dogs, Maundy and Oly.
Her favorite food is lettuce because it's the best bread alternative (she's gluten-tolerant) and since she's from Salinas, it reminds her of home.
Email Address: sshort@californiaffa.org
Makena Stanisai is from the Temecula-St. Jeanne Catholic FFA chapter. She participated in BIG, Impromptu, Extemporaneous public speaking, Parli Pro and Floral Judging. Makena's SAE was Ag Communications as the marketing director for Kavanagh Co. Jams.
Outside of the FFA, Makena enjoys hanging out with her family, going to the beach, singing, cooking, calligraphy and stationary.
Three fun facts about Makena are: She has two dogs, she's double jointed and she has watched Elvis 13 times in theaters.
If she could spend one whole day doing something, it would be Christmas shopping because it combines two of her favorite things: Christmas and shopping. One of her love languages is gift giving and she loves shopping for her friends and family during the holidays.
Email Address: mstanisai@californiaffa.org
Sydney Marich is from the Chino-Don Lugo FFA chapter. Sydney participated in Creed, Impromptu, Prepared public speaking and Light Horse Judging. For her SAE projects, she worked at an Equine Training facility as a paid placement and had a Breeding Boar Goat Production project.
Outside the FFA, she likes to ride horses (she's being riding since she was six!) and loves spending time at Disneyland and going on hikes with her family. Sydney also likes to play the ukulele (which she taught herself how to play).
Three fun facts about Sydney are: Her favorite food is pasta, she drove 45 minutes to school everyday, and she has an irrational fear of butterflies.
Her favorite place to visit is Donner Lake. Her family owned a cabin on the water when she was growing up and she spent a majority of her summers there. Her favorite activities were hiking to Broccoli Tree, driving the boat, and floating the Truckee River.
Email Address: smarich@californiaffa.org
Piper Lakey, is from the McArthur FFA chapter and is the California FFA State Reporter. Piper participated in Creed, Impromptu, Extemporaneous public speaking and Parli Pro as her CDE/LDEs. During her high school years, she showed and sold her market sheep at the Intermountain Fair.
Outside of the FFA jacket, Piper likes to spend time with her family, play volleyball, hike and work out.
Three fun facts about Piper are: She is a middle child, her favorite shoes are Birkenstocks, and her favorite food is s'mores.
One special thing that reminds Piper of her hometown, McArther, is sunsets. Being able to see the sunset behind the mountains and over the entire valley is her favorite part of every day at home.
Email Address: plakey@californiaffa.org
Thomas Rosa is from the Visalia - El Diamante FFA chapter. Thomas participated in Creed, Impromptu public speaking, Cirtus Judging, Opening & Closing Ceremonies, Water Issues, and Small Engines. During his years in high school, his SAE project was Dairy Production Placement.
Outside of the FFA jacket, you can find Thomas spending time with his friends and family, working on the dairy, going for drives, watching sunsets, and learning new things.
Three fun facts about Thomas are: He can play the guitar, he was raised on a dairy, and he laughs at his own dad jokes.
One thing that Thomas has on his bucket list is that he wants to visit Rome. He would love to see the amazing architecture, art, and history of the city as well as the Vatican.
Email Address: trosa@californiaffa.org
