Santa Maria Valley Next highlights the career readiness training offered in high school career pathways and recognizes students who are excelling in these various pathways. This month, we are highlighting four local high schoolers excelling in the Agriculture & Natural Resources career pathways.

Eric Ceja
12th Grade, Santa Maria High School
Eric Ceja, a 12th grader from Santa Maria High School is our Santa Maria Valley Chamber CTE Student of the Month in the Agricultural Science Pathway. He was nominated by the Santa Maria High School Agriculture Department. The department expressed that Eric is a well-rounded individual that has extensive knowledge in the Agriscience Pathway. He is currently in the Advanced Interdisciplinary Agriculture Science class where he has excelled in every unit the class offers in Food Science, Plant Science, and Animal Science. According to his Agriculture Science teacher Marc DeBernardi, Eric is a student who is always willing to participate, first to volunteer in class, and really enjoys the numerous labs the class offers. Eric is currently serving as the Santa Maria FFA Vice President; a club that has over 1000 members, and is also a member of the Veterinary Science Career Development Judging Team.  
About the Agriscience Career Pathway: The Agriscience pathway helps students acquire a broad understanding of a variety of agricultural areas, develop an awareness of the many career opportunities in agriculture, participate in occupationally relevant experiences, and work cooperatively with a group to develop and expand leadership abilities. Students study California agriculture, agricultural business, agricultural technologies, natural resources, and animal, plant, and soil sciences.
 
Idalis Gil
12th Grade, Santa Maria High School
Idalis Gil, a 12th grader from Santa Maria High School, is Santa Maria Valley Chamber CTE student of the Month in the Agriculture Ornamental Horticulture Pathway. She was nominated by her agriculture teacher, Marc DeBernardi. Marc expressed that Idalis is a really intelligent, hardworking young lady that just gets her class projects done in the greenhouse, garden, and at the school farm. Idalis has been one of Santa Maria High Schools project leaders at the new CTE Center Pumpkin/Corn/Vegetable Project this year. In addition, Idalis has shown great creativity with her floral projects throughout the semester in the Ornamental Horticulture class and is a real leader amongst her peers. Congratulations to Idalis for her exceptional work this past year.
About the Ornamental Horticulture Pathway: The Ornamental Horticulture pathway prepares students for careers in the nursery, landscaping, and floral industries. Topics include plant identification, plant physiology, soil science, plant reproduction, nursery production, and floriculture, as well as landscaping design, installation, and maintenance.
 
Angela Acevedo
12th Grade, Santa Maria High School
Angela Acevedo has been selected to receive the student of the month in the Agriculture Careers Pathway. Angela is a multitalented senior who enjoys staying busy within a wide range of interests. Angela is a scholar-athlete that has a passion for the agriculture industry. She is a four-year member of the agriculture education program where she has excelled in agri-science, plant science, and leadership development. Angela has raised three market goats receiving the honor of outstanding goat showmanship. Miss Acevedo is currently the chair of the community service committee for the chapter in which she has reignited the commitment for charity and service in her classmates. A phrase that describes her is, “if you want something done, ask a busy person, ask Angela and the job will get done right.”
About the Agriculture Career Pathway: The agriculture education pathway gives students an opportunity to explore career opportunities in a wide range of fields from production, science, business, and education as it relates to the agriculture industry.
 
Jada Sanchez
11^th Grade, Righetti High School
Jada Sanchez is a Junior at Righetti High School and is currently enrolled in Ag Chemistry, Ag Sales/Leadership, and Floral Design. Jada has excelled in all 3 parts of the Agriculture Education model; classroom, SAE, and FFA. Her involvement in FFA and CTE opportunities have continued to be consistent over the past year despite the restrictions and challenges among our school activities. Jada is the Chapter FFA Reporter and the Sectional Historian where she has written several press releases and social media posts updating the public about the activities and achievements of our FFA program. She has also participated in several tours at our CTE facility and was a guest speaker for the CWA Fall meeting. Jada has really demonstrated her passion for Agriculture and has gone above and beyond our expectations both in the FFA program and the local community. She is planning on raising another market animal, completing her State FFA Degree application, submitting a proficiency award application for the Pumpkin SAE, and beginning a floral design SAE in her record book.

About the Agriculture Career Pathway: The agriculture education pathway gives students an opportunity to explore career opportunities in a wide range of fields from production, science, business, and education as it relates to the agriculture industry.