Academics
Agriculture Department
Our Agriculture Department here at Central Catholic High School has dynamic classes that help enrich a student’s knowledge and understanding of the natural world around them. Being located in the State of California, WE have the unique opportunity to explore the ins and outs of growing and cultivating crops and raising animals in one of the prime locations in the country, as California produces over a third of the country’s vegetables and nearly three-quarters of the country’s fruits and nuts.* And our own local region, the Central Valley, is a vibrant agricultural hub as we supply milk, almonds, and poultry as our top commodities.*
For every student who has an interest and a passion in this realm, WE strive to guide them towards the necessary skills to support the agricultural future of our city, state, and country.
Please feel free ask questions about our Agriculture Department and FFA program when you are here on campus. Our students and teachers are incredibly knowledgeable and will happily answer any questions you may have. WE are here to support you!
*Statistics from:
California Department of Food & Agriculture
Stanislaus County's 2022 Agricultural Report
For every student who has an interest and a passion in this realm, WE strive to guide them towards the necessary skills to support the agricultural future of our city, state, and country.
Please feel free ask questions about our Agriculture Department and FFA program when you are here on campus. Our students and teachers are incredibly knowledgeable and will happily answer any questions you may have. WE are here to support you!
*Statistics from:
California Department of Food & Agriculture
Stanislaus County's 2022 Agricultural Report
Central Catholic High School was granted an FFA charter in 2014. Since then, WE have grown significantly with the help of our school, community, students, parents and FFA Advisors. FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.
All students enrolled in an agriculture course are granted membership into the FFA organization. WE look forward to working with each of you in developing and planting your faith through classroom instruction, supervised agricultural experiences, FFA conferences, and so much more!
National FFA
FFA Motto
The Agricultural Education Mission
*Information from the National FFA Organization.
All students enrolled in an agriculture course are granted membership into the FFA organization. WE look forward to working with each of you in developing and planting your faith through classroom instruction, supervised agricultural experiences, FFA conferences, and so much more!
National FFA
The National FFA Organization is committed to the individual student, providing a path to achievement in premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Now, the organization is expanding the nation's view of "traditional" agriculture and finding new ways to infuse agriculture into the classroom.
FFA MISSION
FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.FFA MISSION
FFA Motto
Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve. FFA members conduct themselves at all times to be a credit to their organization, chapter, school, community and family.
The Agricultural Education Mission
Agricultural education prepares students for successful careers and a lifetime of informed choices in the global agriculture, food, fiber and natural resource systems.
*Information from the National FFA Organization.
Agriculture Department Faculty
Ms. Jessica Brand.
Chico State University, 2017
Bachelors of Science in Agriculture Science.
Bachelors of Science in Agriculture Business.
Chico State University, 2022
Masters Degree in Agriculture Education.
Chico State University, 2017
Bachelors of Science in Agriculture Science.
Bachelors of Science in Agriculture Business.
Chico State University, 2022
Masters Degree in Agriculture Education.
Ms. Mary Jane Gwerder.
Chico State University, 2019
Bachelors of Science in Agriculture Science.
Chico State University, 2024
Masters Degree in Agriculture Education.
Chico State University, 2019
Bachelors of Science in Agriculture Science.
Chico State University, 2024
Masters Degree in Agriculture Education.
FFA - Future Farmers of America Officers
Meilani Duran is our 2025-2026 Chapter President for this school year. Meilani is a senior and has been in FFA for all four years. You can find her being our inspiring leader, guiding us with enthusiasm and dedication while leading our chapter to success! Meilani is looking forward to all the new memories at our socials and events and getting to meet all the new members. Meilani’s favorite memory in FFA was this years Camp Sylvester, and winning CAMP CHAMPS! A fun fact about Meilani is that she loves going to Disneyland!!
Ava Nelson is our 2025-2026 Chapter Vice President for this school year. Ava is a sophomore and has been in FFA for two years. You can find her standing beside the President offering support and representing our chapter with passion! Ava is looking forward to attending the National Convention in October! Ava’s favorite memory in FFA is attending Camp Sylvester and meeting people from other chapters! A fun fact about Ava is that she has done cheerleading for 3 years!
Madelyn Ralls is our 2025-2026 Chapter Treasurer for this school year. Madelyn is a Junior and has been in FFA for three years. You can find her managing our chapter’s finances and ensuring our financial stability! Madelyn is looking forward to serving the Officer Team, FFA week, and showing at the fair. Madelyn’s favorite memory in FFA is going to all the FFA events, such as opening and closing, and MFE. A fun fact about Madelyn is that I show pigs competitively around the United States and am a two-sport athlete.
Jackson Alderson is our 2025-2026 Chapter Sentinel for this school year. Jackson is a Sophomore and has been in FFA for two years. You can find him there to support and welcome all our members and serve our chapter with enthusiasm! Jackson is looking forward to being on the officer team, competing on the farm power team, and showing a lamb. Jackson's favorite memory in FFA is all the car rides to and from FFA events! A fun fact about Jackson is he likes to hunt and fish and is also a JV football captain.
MaKenna Martins is our 2025-2026 Chapter Secretary for this school year. MaKenna is a sophomore and has been in FFA for two years. You can find her keeping our chapter organized, taking care of meeting minutes and keeping us on track of important information! MaKenna is looking forward to this years National FFA Convention in Indiana! MaKenna’s favorite memory in FFA was the officer retreat in Pebble Beach! A fun fact about MaKenna is that she has shown dairy cattle for 10 years!
Morgan Dickens is our 2025-2026 Chapter Reporter for this school year. Morgan is a senior and has been in FFA for all four years. You can find her documenting and sharing all the exciting moments from our FFA events! Morgan is looking forward to getting to show one last time at the Stan Co fair this summer and FFA week! Morgan’s favorite memory in FFA was getting to bond with the officer team at our retreat in pebble beach! A fun fact about Morgan is that she has shown livestock for over 7+ years.
Walter (Joe) Nicolau is our 2025-2026 Chapter Chaplain for this school year. Joseph is a sophomore and has been in FFA for two years. You can find him leading prayers at events and bringing faith formation to our team. Joseph is looking forward to FFA week! Joseph's favorite memory in FFA was the MJC farm power competition! A fun fact about Joe is he has a team of oxen.
FFA Sectional Speaking Competition
Congratulations to our FFA members on their outstanding performance at the Sectional Speaking Competition!
🏆 Ava Nelson – 1st Place Creed (Advancing to Regionals in March!)
🏆 Yale Ahlem – 1st Place Marketing Coop
🥉 Michael Brooks – 3rd Place Marketing Coop
🥈 Adeline Reece – 2nd Place High Individual BIG
🏅 Jordynne Gomes – 4th Place High Individual BIG
Team Results:
🥇 Marketing Coop CC Gold – 1st Place High Team
🥉 Marketing Coop CC Blue – 3rd Place High Team
🥉 Water Quality – 3rd Place High Team
🏅 BIG – 4th Place High Team
We are so proud of all our competitors!
Great job representing Central Catholic FFA! 🎉
Great job representing Central Catholic FFA! 🎉
Advanced Floral Design
Central Catholic students have an amazing opportunity to discover skills within Advanced Floral Design.
Students will study more about the business principles and elements of running a floral shop, understanding how to manage time and money. Main objectives for this course include creating marketing material and pamphlets for the CCHS Floral Shop, working with customers on a regular basis, and evaluating pricing strategies for orders. Students will also help operate our current floral shop and take customer orders, design arrangements and deliver to customers. This class will work hard to complete floral orders and also help organize other large floral events like the corsage and boutonniere sales for school dances.
STANISLAUS COUNTY FAIR HIGHLIGHTS
Please click on the photos to go through the entire carousel of photographs.
DAIRY RESULTS
1st place for Dairy Chapter Group
3rd place for Chapter Clean Barn!
3rd place for Chapter Clean Barn!
Madelyn Ralls:
FFA Reserve Jersey Replacement Heifer
FFA Reserve Jersey Replacement Heifer
Reese Oliveira:
Bulls Reserve Supreme Champion
Bulls Reserve Supreme Champion
Case Dykzeul:
4th place in Intermediate Showmanship
4th place in Intermediate Showmanship
RABBIT RESULTS
Fatima Benitez
3rd place Intermediate Showmanship
Isabella Crutcher
3rd place Market Meat Pen
7th place Advanced Showmanship
Meilani Duran
3rd place Intermediate Showmanship
Isabella Crutcher
3rd place Market Meat Pen
7th place Advanced Showmanship
Meilani Duran
4th place Intermediate Showmanship
SWINE RESULTS
Rena Ralls:
2nd place Advanced Showmanship
FFA Champion Light Crossbred Market Hog
FFA Grand Champion Market Hog
Debbie De Boer Memorial Award
Debbie De Boer Memorial Award
Morrisa Ralls:
3rd place Advanced Showmanship
FFA Champion Hampshire Market Hog
Brady Word:
7th place Novice Showmanship
SHEEP RESULTS
2nd place in Chapter Group
Blue Team - 4th place Sheep Fitting Contest
Gold Team - 7th place Sheep Fitting Contest
Jillian Alderson
7th place Advanced Showmanship
Meelaud Taylor
4th place Intermediate Showmanship
Jordynne Gomes
Jordynne Gomes
2nd place in Breeding Showmanship
6th place in Intermediate Showmanship
6th place in Intermediate Showmanship
Boots & Blue Jeans
FFA Banquet
Throughout the school year WE have many events to participate in. One of our favorite events is the Boots & Blue Jeans Fundraiser that happens in the early autumn. WE very much hope that you join us at that time for food, family, friendship, and supporting our department as WE work to give our students the best agricultural education that WE can!
Other events throughout the year are FFA Week as we share the goings on with the rest of our school campus of what WE learn in our agricultural classes and invite everyone to participate in fun activities to highlight the importance of working as a team to achieve our goals.
And, at the end of the year, WE have our FFA Banquet to recognize students who have stayed in the program for multiple years, gone above and beyond in their studies, and made a lasting impact in our community through their knowledge and skills in the FFA program.
Other events throughout the year are FFA Week as we share the goings on with the rest of our school campus of what WE learn in our agricultural classes and invite everyone to participate in fun activities to highlight the importance of working as a team to achieve our goals.
And, at the end of the year, WE have our FFA Banquet to recognize students who have stayed in the program for multiple years, gone above and beyond in their studies, and made a lasting impact in our community through their knowledge and skills in the FFA program.
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About Central Catholic
Faithful to our Catholic Tradition, our mission is to witness to the Gospel while building an educational community that inspires the spiritual, academic and social development of young adults.
Central Catholic Students Are:
Academically-Prepared
Spiritually-Developed
Socially-Responsible
Globally-Conscious
Central Catholic Students Are:
Academically-Prepared
Spiritually-Developed
Socially-Responsible
Globally-Conscious
