Galt, Calif. — Hughson High School student Kate Cooper was one of six elected by delegates at the 98th Annual State FFA Leadership Conference to serve as 2026-27 California State FFA Officers.
Cooper will serve as Vice President alongside: President: Jaycee Salas, Atascadero FFA; Secretary: Joseph Schohr, Gridley FFA; Treasurer: Caleb Najera, Hanford FFA; Reporter: Faith Aleila Escoto, Grass Valley-Bear River FFA; and Sentinel: Garrett Wunschel, Sutter Creek FFA.
Cooper and fellow Hughson FFA member Grace Curry were among the top 36 California FFA members in the running for state offices.
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.
Each year, candidates vying for State FFA Office take part in an extensive online and in-person interview process with the State FFA Nominating Committee leading up to the election. The new team was announced during the closing session of the conference on March 24, in Ontario.
After reviewing applications and conducting initial virtual interviews, the Nominating Committee selected 59 individuals to advance to in-person interviews in Ontario. Candidates underwent several rounds of interviews with the State Nominating Committee before being slated and elected by the California Association, FFA delegation.
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.”
California state officers take a gap year from their post-secondary plans to serve over 108,000 members of the California Association, FFA. Throughout their year of service, the officers will interact with business and industry leaders, thousands of middle and high school students, agricultural educators, corporate sponsors, government and education officials, local FFA leaders, and the general public.
The team will lead personal growth and leadership training conferences for FFA members throughout the state and help set policies that will guide the future of FFA in California and lead the next generation of leaders.
