Top of the line: Class of 2013 The past four years of high school haven’t been all electives, parties, and easy times for seniors Jonathan Kisch and Katelyn Olsen. Through balancing athletics, clubs, and responsibilities, these students have reached the top of their class as Valedictorian and Salutatorian of the Class of 2013.
A year of success
An overview of FFA’s year long triumphs by Lauren Reed, Culture Editor
Agriculture is an integral part of Californian society, and FFA has worked hard to incorporate the art into PRHS’ umbrella of learning. The contests FFA gives students the opportunity to participate in throughout the year are Opening and Closing Ceremonies Competition, Creed Speaking Competition, Best Informed Greenhand Competition, Extemporaneous Speaking Competition, Job Interview Speaking Competition, Impromptu Speaking Competition, Manuscript Speaking Competition, Welding Competition, and Livestock Judging Competition. “When you have a competitive spirit nothing fuels your passion more than knowing you have a chance to be the best. But if you want to be a competitor it is ultimately up to you to make sure you put in the hours if you want to be the best,” said sophomore Kara Kester,who has been involved in FFA since her freshman year in 2011. On April 20, the eight members of the Livestock Judging team competed at the Fresno State Field Day where the four A-Team members, Branson Medeiros, Kaitlyn Bedell, Jacob Dilger, and Nathanael Bourgault took first place out of 41 other teams; with Branson Medeiros taking first place overall as an individual. On the same day, 20 students attended the four day FFA State Leadership conference. On May 4th, the Livestock Judging and Welding Teams went to the State Finals Field Day. “The conference was absolutely amazing! Four days of keynote speakers, leadership workshops, awards ceremonies, public speaking competitions, and inspiring retiring addresses from the 2012-2013 California FFA State Officers,” said senior Kaitlyn Bedell, who is the vice president of PRHS’ FFA chapter. This year FFA has 25 hogs, 20 sheep, and 10 cattle that will be showing at fair. There are three main events for showing beef, sheep, and swine, the first is a market class, where the judge will place the animals based on what he/she believes is the most complete, market ready animal. The second is a showmanship class, where the judges places the student based on who he/she thinks best exhibits the animal. The third is the Junior Livestock Auction, where the exhibitors show their animal to the buyers and the animal is sold to the highest bidder. 04
Crimson
“I love competing at fair because it gives me the best of both worlds! I get to hang out with my very best friends all the time, but I also get to do one of my few passions of showing and selling my own cattle,” said Kester, who raises Angus Crossbred Market Steers and Replacement heifers. Although FFA does showcase a great deal of agricultural involvement, and its goals revolve around such, FFA also teaches students valuable lessons, and gives them new skill sets. “All of the competitions, overnight events, leadership conferences, and project animals have allowed me to learn how to take on the world outside of high school: teaching me things such as money management and being prepared for whatever the world throws at me,” said senior Kaitlyn Bedell, who is the vice president of PRHS’ FFA chapter. FFA teaches students the value of responsibility and management, and how to work as a team, according to Bedell. “FFA isn't just about livestock and crops, there are so many career and leadership positions available for those who choose to get involved,” said Kester, who entered into the Job Interview contest on April 18 in Fresno; senior Branson Mederos entered the Extemporaneous Speaking contest on the 18th as well. In the Job Interview contest the contender must fill out an application and create a cover letter for a mock job interview. In the Extemporaneous Speaking contest, a student must draw three topics then chose one to speak on, they then have 30 minutes to prepare a 4-6 minute speech on that topic. Kester competed and made it to regionals, which led to her to become the only sophomore from Paso Robles to make it to the state competition this year. “No part of FFA is my favorite because the organization itself is so dynamic. I have grown so much as a person and leader and this is only my second year,” said Kester. From welding to agriculture, this years PRHS FFA chapter has had an especially successful year: sending their livestock judging team to National FFA Convention and Expo in Louisville, Kentucky in October, and placing in all but one competition.
Valedictorian Jonathan Kisch
“I literally don’t sleep some nights. Particularly Mondays and Wednesdays because I have calculus classes at Cuesta. Maintaining a 5.0 while simultaneously taking Cuesta classes deprives you of some sleep. That, coupled with my extracurricular-activities is like juggling chainsaws, if I slip I could severely ruin my grades.”
Salutatorian Katelyn Olsen
“Being nominated means a lot to me. It means that these four years of hard work are paying off, and I’ve got a lot to show for all my effort. I put in my best effort, do my work thoroughly, study hard, and in the end hope for the best! Sometimes I think that having faith in myself is what got me through.”
–Angela Lorenzo, A&E Editor
Pickard wins award
ROP Welding teacher Justin Pickard won county ROP teacher of the year. Pickard will be honored at the next Santa Lucia ROP Board meeting for both his personal achievement and the achievements of his students. — Rachel Cole, News Co-Editor
May 2013
photos by Angela Lorenzo and Andrea Lorenzo