Meet your 2024-2025
Merced-Mariposa
Sectional Officer Team!
President - Ella Fredriks
Stone Ridge Christian FFA
Hometown: Madera, CA
Birthday: August 3
Year in School: Senior
Goals: ​I want to become a State officer next year or attend Fresno State to major in Ag communications and minor in political science. My goal is to become an Ag Lobbiest and later venture into the realm of politics.
FFA Accomplishments: 2021-22 Creed State Finalist, 2021-22 Chapter Proficiency winner in Fruit production, 2021-22 Top 15 active member, 2021-22 Outstanding Freshman, 2021-22 Greenhand Vice President, 2022-23 5th please Sectional Extemporaneous speaking, 2022-23 State conference Delegate, 2022-23 Outstanding Sophomore, 2022-23 Proficiency winner in fruit production, 2023-24 Chapter Vice President, 2023-24 Merced Mariposa Section Secretary, 2023-24 5th place Sectional Extemporaneous speaking, 2023-24 top 15 active member, 2023-24 Chapter proficiency winner in fruit production, 2024-25 Chapter President.
SAE(s): Unpaid Work Experience on my Family’s Almond Orchard.
FFA Goals: I want to meet so many new people this year! I also want to get more people to be involved in our Section by hosting more sectional events. It has also been a dream of mine to become a State Officer so I am hoping this year I will be able to make that dream a reality.
Hobbies: Running, Reading, and hanging out with
Favorite Movie: Top Gun Maverick
Favorite Non-Ag Subject: English
Favorite Song/Artist: Lainey Wilson
Favorite Book: Hunger Games
Favorite Color: Blue!
Influential People: God, Abraham Lincoln, and My Mom and Dad
Life's Philosophy: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
Vice President - Gracie Schnoor
Stone Ridge Christian FFA
Hometown: Chowchilla Ca
Birthday: August 10 2008
Year in School: Junior
Goals: ​ Become a State officer!
FFA Accomplishments: 2nd Place Creed Sections, 6th Creed region, 1st impromptu section& region, 2nd state impromptu, star greenhand, star chapter farmer
SAE(s): Breeding &Market Sheep, Beef Cattle, Pigs for 4-H
FFA Goals: Become. Regional & state officer!
Hobbies: jackpotting pigs around the state, hunting with dad
Favorite Movie: My favorite show is Heartland
Favorite Non-Ag Subject: Science
Favorite Song/Artist: Im always down for some Treaty Oak, Ty Meyers, and Zach Bryan!
Favorite Book: NM
Favorite Color: turquoise
Influential People: My ag teachers, family and God
Life's Philosophy: Trust in God, and His timing. He will lead you even in the darkest times so never loose focus on Him.
Secretary - Jaylene Barriga
Los Banos FFA
Treasurer -
Advaitaa Shyamprasad
El Capitan FFA
Hometown: Merced, CA
Birthday: 03/12/2008
Year in School: Junior
Goals: ​ Attend a UC school to finish undergraduate requirements.
FFA Accomplishments: First Place Chapter Agriscience fair, Small Animal Systems; First Place Chapter Agriscience fair, Food Products and Processing Systems; Chapter Outstanding Sophomore; Chapter Treasurer; First Place State, Marketing Plan.
SAE(s): Plant Sales
FFA Goals: To leave a long lasting impact on members.
Hobbies: Tennis, spending time with my dog,
Favorite Movie: Grown Ups or How to Lose a Guy in 10 days
Favorite Non-Ag Subject: Math or Science
Favorite Song/Artist: One Direction!
Favorite Book: We were liars
Favorite Color: baby blue or purple
Influential People: My family
Life's Philosophy: YOLO & Everything happens for a reason
Reporter - Katie Medeiros
Atwater FFA
Hometown: Atwater Ca
Birthday: 9/4/2008
Year in School: Junior
Goals: Attend Fresno State and major in Ag Education.
FFA Accomplishments: Star Greenhand Award, Star Chapter Farmer Award, Chapter Secretary and Merced Mariposa Sectional Reporter.
SAE(s): Market Goats
FFA Goals: Competing and winning state in Floral judging and State FFA Office.
Hobbies: Listening Music and hanging out with friends, and Weight Lifting.
Favorite Movie: The Notebook
Favorite Non-Ag Subject: English
Favorite Song/Artist: Free now -Gracie Abrams
Favorite Book: Esperanza Rising
Favorite Color: Pink
Influential People: My Mom
Life's Philosophy: Do not fear failure but rather fear not trying. - Roy T. Bennett
Sentinel - Branyon Bliss
Golden Valley FFA
Hometown: Atwater Ca
Birthday: 2/17/2007
Year in School: Senior
Goals: ​Attend Kansas State University With a Major in Ag business, and a Minor In Agronomy.
FFA Accomplishments:
SAE(s): Work experience at Bliss Farms, Paid placement at Bliss Livestock, Pellissier Farms, Castle Farms
FFA Goals:
Hobbies: Farming, Hanging out with friends/Family, and making long lasting memories
Favorite Movie: Dukes of Hazzard
Favorite Non-Ag Subject: Science
Favorite Song/Artist: Treaty Oak Revival
Favorite Book: Hatchet
Favorite Color: Purple
Influential People: Peter Bliss, Mom, Dad, and Grandma
Life's Philosophy: “Sometimes the bad things that happen in our lives put us directly on the path to the best things that will ever happen to us.” - Anonymous
Advisor - Mr. Ortez
Mr. Ortez is a Merced resident who graduated from Merced High, went to Merced College and later transferred to Fresno State. I'm a second year teacher at Stone Ridge Christian here in Merced. He enjoys watching movies and staying up to date in everything pop culture. Currently he teaches welding, shop skills, Ag Chemistry, Animal Science, and Intro to Agriculture.