Meet the Tulare FFA Officer Team!

As the 2023–2024 Tulare FFA Officer team prepares for the year to come, we look forward to the opportunity to serve this unique chapter. This organization has the ability to impact and direct many lives. Our goal as an officer team is to help students develop a passion in life, advance into well-rounded leaders, encourage individuals outside their comfort zone, and ultimately push students to their full potential. As our goal is to help students reach their full potential and achieve success, our team has decided on the theme of “Fields of Opportunity, Seeds of Success.”

In order to cultivate success, we will make it our priority to make personal connections with each member. By making special connections, we will be able to create stories that will last a lifetime. In order to create stories and truly “Fields of Opportunity, Seeds of Success,” we recommend that you always keep an open mind and try new things. While trying these new experiences, it is important to work hard and remain focused through dedication and determination. Through this journey, we hope to show students the endless opportunities that this organization has for each and every student.

Now that we are getting back in the swing of things, it is more important than ever to defy boundaries and get out of our comfort zones. The unprecedented events of this last year have allowed for a unique season of growth and development. The changes have compelled us to get uncomfortable and face each challenge head-on. In the coming year, we as officers hope to promote the adaptation of each and every member of this modern-day society. By cultivating success, they will have the tools necessary to become successful despite the challenges they may face.

Tulare FFA, it’s up to you to decide how you will face the coming year. We hope you will embrace the changes, create stories, and join us in “Fields of Opportunity, Seeds of Success.”

President Sophia Gomes

Hey, Tulare FFA! My name is Sophia Gomes, and I’m beyond excited to serve as your chapter president this year! I’m an incoming senior at Tulare Western High School, and within our program, I participate in various speaking and judging competitions, along with serving as San Joaquin Regional President this year! Outside of my blue jacket, you can find me involved with other ag organizations, volunteering, attending high school sporting events, or just hanging out with friends and family! This year, one of my top priorities is getting our membership more involved!

Building Communities Vice President John Michael Ribeiro

Hello! My name is John Michael Ribeiro, and I am your Tulare FFA Building Communities Vice President for the 2022–2023 school year! I am going to be a Senior this year at Tulare Western High School. I am a part of the dairy showing team and enjoy different speaking and judging teams within FFA. These include Farm Power and extemporaneous speaking. I also spend my time playing different sports such as Water polo, soccer, and swimming. I like to be a part of my church community by going to youth group and volunteering in youth programs. I also coached for the Tulare sharks swim team and enjoyed teaching kids how to swim. In my free time, I like to play the guitar, work on my family’s farm, or hang out with friends and family. I hope to grow my committee's success in community service activities this year by bringing new ideas to the table. I am very excited for the new opportunities that this year has in store for me.

Growing Leaders Vice President Liezel Casillas

Hi Tulare FFA, my name is Liezel Casillas, and I am currently serving as your 2022–2023 Growing Leaders Vice President. I am a senior at Tulare Western High School. Outside of FFA, I am a part of the Varsity Sideline and Courtside Cheer Team. I am also a part of the CSF club on campus. I am super pumped to be serving for the 3rd and final time as a Tulare FFA officer. Being an officer has led me to become a more confident leader and student, which will aid me in inspiring more students to crawl out of their shells and also become confident. Despite not being raised around an agriculture background, I have had the opportunity to really see the positive impact Agriculture leaves on the community and its members. With the countless opportunities provided, I have had the opportunity to be on the Job Interview LDE team, where I placed second in the Section, and on the Vet Science CDE team, where I placed second high individual at the 2022 Legrand Field Day. I am also one of the Head Student Sheep and Goat Mangers at the Farm. My SAE is breeding my ewe and showing her offspring at the Tulare County Fair, I also received a proficiency award in Sheep Production. During my time as an FFA member, I have constructed close friendships with advisors and members and plan on continuing to grow those friendships with new and past members. My goal this year is to help members find their passion and excellence by working hard to reach their goals. I can't wait for what this year has in store for us.

Strengthening Agriculture Vice President Jillian Garcia

Hello! My name is Jillian Garcia and I am a junior at Tulare Western High School currently serving as your Chapter Strengthening Agriculture Vice President. I have been in FFA for three years now and have participated in Creed Speaking, Best Informed Greenhand, Dairy Products Judging, Impromptu, Ag Issues, and this past year's Chapter Historian. Coming from an ag background, I’ve been raised to appreciate and respect the agriculture industry and hope others do as well. Being a chapter officer, I hope to learn more leadership skills and apply that knowledge to the future ahead of me. Aside from FFA, I enjoy playing volleyball, traveling to new places, and hanging out with my family and friends. Throughout these past years, I have been given many opportunities through different CDE/LDE teams that FFA has to offer. As an officer I hope to inspire other students the way I was, to join the FFA and be more involved!

Secretary Gianna Fernandes

Hello, my name is Gianna Fernandes, and I am serving as your 2022–2023 Chapter Secretary. I am a junior at Tulare Western, and I have always been heavily involved in agriculture. Growing up in a family of dairy farmers and showing cows my whole life has really shaped and grown my love for agriculture. In the past two years, I have had the opportunity to be a part of multiple teams, including parli pro, creed speaking, prepared speaking, and ag issues. I even got the chance to participate at the state level in creed, ag issues, and prepared. I also served as the 2021-2022 chapter Chaplain. Outside of FFA, I am involved in competitive water polo and swim. I also enjoy traveling and spending time with family and friends. This year it is my goal to further develop leadership skills, build connections, and help my fellow members and officers make Tulare FFA the best it can be.

Treasurer Tanner Mederos

Hi, my name is Tanner Mederos, and I am a Junior at Tulare Western. I will be serving Tulare FFA as the 2022–2023 Chapter Treasurer. I have participated in many activities over my high school career, like the Opening and Closing contest, Creed speaking team, BIG team, job interview team, and the market swine showmanship team. All of these teams helped me learn about the agriculture industry and have given me experiences I will always remember. I decided to run for office because of my inborn passion for the agriculture industry, from helping my dad out at the school farm and also helping my grandpa farm his orchards. Some hobbies outside of FFA of mine include golfing, riding dirt bikes, and hanging out with friends and family. My goal is to help get fellow members of the FFA Chapter involved in all of our opportunities we have to offer, from CDE and LDEs to committees and leadership positions.

Reporter Lilibeth Martinez

Hi, I am Lilibeth Martinez and I am beyond excited to be serving as Tulare FFA's Reporter this year! I am a senior at Tulare Western and have been involved in FFA for the past 3 years. My SAE consists of raising, breeding, and showing lamb for fair. Outside of FFA, you can find me cheering at football and basketball games, participating in various clubs, and hanging out with friends and family! I can not wait for the great year our chapter has ahead!

Sentinel Jorge Martin

Hi, My name is Jorge Martin and I am your Tulare FFA Sentinel for the 2022–2023 school year. I am a senior at Tulare Union. Since I was a kid my family has been heavily involved in agriculture. This Is going to be my 4th year in FFA. I have participated in the Ag mech team and open and closing. As a newly coming officer, I hope to grow on my leadership skills and use them to help the chapter. Outside of FFA I really enjoy spending time with my Family and friends. I enjoy horseback riding in my free time. I can't wait to see what this chapter has to bring.

Parliamentarian Brenda Monje Pineda

Hello everyone, my name is Brenda Monje. I am a junior at Tulare Western high school and have the pleasure to serve as the 2022–2023 Tulare FFA Parliamentarian. I also have the honor to serve as the 2022–2023 Sequoia Section Sentinel. I have been actively involved in FFA since my freshman year, participating in various contests like Creed, Milk & Dairy Products Judging, Job Interview & more. By being involved in these LDE's and CDE's, I found the confidence & support to run of sectional and chapter office. I believe that running for office was the next step in my personal and professional growth. Apart from FFA activities, I enjoy spending time with my sisters, working with my steer, & playing tennis for Tulare Western. Despite not being from an agricultural background, I believe I have found my interest in the agriculture industry because of my involvement in Tulare FFA. I am excited to see the positive things that are yet to come in this chapter.

Historian Madelyn Movsesian

Hello, my name is Madelyn Movsesian. I am currently a Sophomore at Tulare Western. I will be serving as the 2022–2023 Chapter Historian. This year will be my first year serving on our chapter officer team, and I am incredibly excited to work with the fellow officers. I strive to be as active as possible in FFA. My freshman year I participated in Parli Pro, Opening and Closing, and was Greenhand President. Outside of FFA, I play volleyball and hang out with friends. I’m super excited to build friendships and see what this year has in store!

Chaplain Lilyanah Ribeiro

Hi, my name is Lilyanah Ribeiro and I will be serving as your 2022–2023 Chapter Chaplain! I am a Sophomore at Tulare Western High School. Coming from an ag background, I've always had a passion for agriculture. From being in 4-H to FFA my interest in ag has only grown. Last year I served as the Greenhand Treasurer, participated in creed speaking, opening and closing, and the dairy show team. Outside of FFA, I am a competitive dancer, swimmer, and cheerleader. I also spend a lot of time with my family and friends. With these past leadership experiences and the support of my family and friends, I hope to grow as a leader. Overall I hope to leave a strong, positive impact on our chapter and make it known all we have to offer.