March 27, 2026

Leading into the 2026 California State FFA Conference, Kate Cooper and Grace Curry were among the top 36 California FFA members in the running for state offices. After multiple rounds of interviews and scenarios, the top 12 were announced. Cooper was among them.

On March 21, the State Conference began. This year, the Conference took place in Ontario, California. Eight Hughson FFA members, with Cooper and Curry, joined 8,000 other members from across the state for Leadership Development Opportunities, award recognition for the hard work and dedication of students and stakeholders who engage in Supervised Agricultural Experience Projects year-round, and a Career and College Expo.

“All of these opportunities allowed students to immerse themselves in all that FFA has to offer. When we return from these types of trips, we recognize a new energy amongst the students as they work to finish out the school year on a strong note. The CA State FFA Leadership conference does so much for our students each year,” FFA Advisor Brett Baker said.

According to Cooper, the State Officer process has a reputation for being “intimidating and intense,” but because the group of candidates knew how to keep things lighthearted, the experience was positive. “I will never forget sitting in the holding room right before the top 12 announcement, all of the candidates were sitting around a table, swaying back and forth, singing ‘Landslide’ by Fleetwood Mac. This moment encapsulates the process for me as it demonstrated that we were all there for the right reasons and supported each other regardless of the result,” Cooper said.

By March 23, Cooper was one of two finalists for Vice President. With energy and earnestness, she answered two questions about the role of the state officer, maintaining eye contact with the interviewer and smiling as she looked around at the audience while speaking about the importance of communication and planning.

Cooper said she felt prepared, but anxious. “After spending almost four years in this organization, I developed a passion for FFA and a deep drive to serve. This made me feel prepared as I knew I had been involved in everything I could and knew that I would be authentically myself, no matter what. My love for California FFA has fueled me as I embarked on this journey, but it has also heightened the stakes because I truly care so much.”

On March 24, the 2026-2027 California FFA State Officer team was announced: President Jaycee Salas from Atascadero FFA, Vice President Kate Cooper from Hughson FFA, Secretary Joseph Schohr from Gridley FFA, Treasurer Caleb Najera from Hanford FFA, Reporter Faith Aleila Escoto from Bear River FFA, and Sentinel Garrett Wunschel from Sutter Creek FFA.

Hearing the announcement, Cooper was elated. “When waiting for the announcement, being surrounded by my best friends, I felt so much support and genuine love for the people around me,” she said. “After hearing my name get called and rushing to the stage, I felt beyond blessed and insanely excited for the journey ahead. This next year will be the adventure of a lifetime!”

More than an accomplishment, Cooper described the honor as an opportunity. “I know my job did not end when I received the California Association jacket; it is what I do wearing that jacket now that will make a lasting impact. This opportunity is transformative. I am so grateful that California FFA entrusted me to serve in this position, and I will spend every moment of the next year intentionally serving and giving back to the organization that provided me a passion and a purpose.”

As Vice President, Cooper will represent the over 108,000 California FFA members next year. Her duties will require her to travel across the state, delivering student workshops, leading conferences, and building connections to advocate for agriculture and FFA in order to inspire and lead her peers. To do this, officers delay college for a year to serve their term, basing their operations at the California FFA Center in Galt.

“I would like to say how dedicated and powerful Grace and Kate are,” Baker said, looking back at the Conference. “They both represented the community of Hughson with a great sense of pride and professionalism. I am extremely proud of them for all they have accomplished over the past four years.”

Baker also thanked the Hughson Agriculture Boosters for its financial support of the program, “Each year, this group pledges financial support to our students to make this trip possible.”