At the 97th New Mexico FFA State Convention, held in Las Cruces, NM, from May 27 to 30, the Grants FFA Chapter returned home with top honors.
For the first time in history, Grants FFA was named the top chapter in New Mexico and recognized as the State Superior Chapter. This prestigious award reflects the chapter's work throughout the year, focusing on the three divisions of the FFA’s Program of Activities (POA): Growing Leaders, Building Communities, and Strengthening Agriculture. Each division encompasses five quality standards that address leadership development, economic growth, agricultural literacy, stakeholder involvement, and healthy living. To qualify, chapters must complete 15 activities, one per standard, and evaluate how well they integrate agricultural education classes, Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs), FFA member engagement, and support from sponsors and community stakeholders.
“Receiving this honor is virtually unheard of, as young chapters like ours are not typically competitive at this level this early in their history,” said Amador Gonzales, Grants FFA Advisor.
In addition to the State Superior Chapter recognition, Grants FFA earned a Superior Chapter Rating from New Mexico FFA and a 3-Star ranking in the National FFA Organization’s National Chapter Award Program, placing it among the top FFA chapters in the country. The chapter will again compete in the National Chapter Award Program this year.
Several members and teamswererecognizedfortheir dedication and achievements throughout the convention.
Four members earned the State FFA Degree, the highest honor awarded by the New Mexico FFA Association. To qualify, members must complete at least two years of agriculture courses, invest or earn a minimum of $1,000 through their SAE, complete 25 hours of community service, serve in a leadership role, and demonstrate public speaking and parliamentary procedure skills. This year’s recipients were Karyssa Cook, Mya Delgarito, Clemente Garcia, and Riko Valencia.
The Agricultural Communications team, Clemente Garcia, Sophia Larry, Jewels Pradt, and Riko Valencia, placed fourth overall. The Greenhand Quiz team, consisting of Ethan Metzger, Almira Pino, Jessie Rosales, and Monika Ruiz, also represented the chapter well. Monika Ruiz competed in Greenhand Creed, while Riko Valencia took part in Prepared Public Speaking.
“Going above and beyond with Grants FFA helped solidify my overall leadership for my school, community, and family,” said Riko Valencia. “Getting involved through agricultural opportunities sets forth the growth I see with the upcoming generations inspired by the chapter’s recognition and hard work.”
Grants FFA was also honored by the New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau’s Ag in the Classroom initiative for leading agricultural literacy projects in elementary schools across the county during the past school year. Additionally, Karyssa Cook was elected to serve as the 2025-2026 District I Vice President.
As Grants FFA celebrates this historic achievement, the chapter remains focused on the future, committed to growing young leaders, giving back to the community, and promoting agricultural education in Cibola County.
“To me, these accomplishments are a powerful reminder of what hard work and dedication can achieve,” said Karyssa Cook, current Chapter President. “They reflect the countless hours we put in, the sacrifices we made, and just how badly we wanted to succeed. Our recent success proves that we’re capable of so much more, and I’m committed to helping us push even further. I believe in our chapter, and I know that together, we can continue to grow, accomplish great things, and bring even more success home.”
With momentum, passion, and purpose on their side, Grants FFA is proving that even the youngest chapters can rise to the top and stay there.