KELLI HOPKINS A BORN LEADER

Two-year President of over 300 FFA members, senior Kelli Hopkins leads as an exemplary student, officer, and leader on campus

Dirt collects under her fingernails, boots covered in mud, and the smell of animal feces overwhelm her senses. Though the aroma is strong, it feels like home. After putting the dry yellow hay in the feeder, she reaches to place her hand out on the black coarse hair. The Heifer moves her head up slightly and fills her mouth with hay. Munch, munch as the cow takes another mouth full. The girl smiles and savors the moment before turning around and grabbing a rake to begin cleaning up the neighboring stall.

This is the daily routine rehearsed every morning before school at 7:30am by the President of the Paso Robles FFA Chapter, Kelli Hopkins. Hopkins has been the President of over 300 FFA members for two years and is a strong leader beloved by all who know her.

“Kelli is a remarkable young leader on campus. She is compassionate, understanding, engaging and very approachable by all members of our FFA Chapter,” said Welding teacher, Justin Pickard Hopkins has been a member of FFA since her freshman year, and has been an officer on the FFA team for three years (secretary her sophomore year, and president her junior and senior year). Her role as president includes delegating tasks to her other officers, planning FFA meetings and events, and leading the hundreds of FFA members at PRHS to becoming successful in agricultural practices as well as committed and engaged members in our community.

by Rayvin Wulfing, Editor-In-Chief

leader is because she sees what everybody needs and she tries to work in between everybody’s schedules,” since many of the officers have other activities and commitments outside of FFA such as jobs or sports. Flores has been in FFA for three years, and has known Hopkins for two years.

“KELLI IS A REMARKABLE YOUNG LEADER ON CAMPUS. SHE IS COMPASSIONATE, UNDERSTANDING, ENGAGING AND VERY APPROACHABLE BY ALL MEMBERS OF OUR FFA CHAPTER” JUSTIN PICKARD

(12 years), and has most consistently contributed to the poultry and horse groups.

Vice President of FFA, Alejandra Flores said, “the reason why Kelli is a great president and a

3words

TO DESCRIBE KELLI

As a member of FFA, Hopkins is required to complete a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) project every year, which can range from a garden to raising an animal. Based on the level of dedication and hours spent on the project participants can gain various recognitions. Last year Hopkins was awarded the greatest state honor for FFA called the State Degree. The State FFA Degree is awarded to FFA members who have demonstrated the highest level of commitment to the California State FFA Association and made significant accomplishments in their SAEs. In order to receive a state degree, candidates must keep a detailed record book of their project, make at least $1000 on their project and have a minimum of 500 hours invested in their project along with several other criterias that must be met. ... Approximately 1,800 State FFA Degrees are handed out each year. That number represents approximately 3% of the California FFA association membership.

In addition to her exposure to agriculture through 4H, Kelli’s mother, Lisa Hopkins used to be a teacher at the highschool who was very involved in FFA, so Kelli was naturally involved. Lisa taught Ag biology, Veterinary Science, and Ag Mechanics throughout her 13 years of working at PRHS. Kelli’s greatest inspiration for joining and being so heavily involved in FFA stemmed from her mothers passion for it.

“She’s really inspired me to just jump in with both feet and get stuff done,” Kelli said about her mother. “I remember I was probably four or five, and she used to take me on field trips with the high schoolers with FFA and that was always fun. And I used to spend time in the ag department and in the barn with all the animals when I was little. Now I’m doing it by myself; I’m financing my own projects, and finishing a project from start to finish.”

Animals Kelli Has Raised

GARDNER PICKARD

PASSIONATE DEDICATED

CARING DRIVEN

COMPASSIONATE TEAMWORK

This year Hopkins decided to raise a Heifer (named Blue) under the surveillance and guidance of Pickard (one of the 3 Advisors for FFA--who is in charge of facilitating meetings and organizing FFA events, as well as the beef and goat category of livestock raising). This is her first year with one of the largest livestock species to raise, however she is very familiar with the process of raising an animal. Hopkins has raised a lamb, goat and multiple pigs.

Unlike most of her peers who were first introduced to FFA in their first year of highschool, Hopkins has been surrounded by FFA beginning at a young age. Hopkins has participated in 4H since she was 5 years old

Along with her mothers participation in FFA, Kelli also had animals she would help raise at home such as horses, donkeys, chickens, ducks, pigs, and others.

“I’ve known Kelli for quite a few years, prior to her start in high school. Her mother was an Agriculture Teacher here at PRHS for my first four years of teaching. Getting the chance to know Kelli and her family outside of being a student here, and continuing to see the growth and maturity since her freshman year has been a unique and rewarding opportunity for me,” Pickard said.