Six teens and one male adult in red jackets stand beside a man in a suit jacket and cowboy hat before the state seal of New Mexico.

Activities in Action: FFA state titles, band Sweetheart Court, BPA at state convention, SkillsUSA visits Roundhouse

Brienne Green

February 21, 2025

BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS OF AMERICA

State Convention

A large group of male and female teens stands in front of an orange-and-white bus.
This week, it was off to the State Convention for the Artesia BPA. The students wasted no time racking up positive results, with Makayla Ashdown making the finals in Interview Skills and Brissia Ruiz advancing to the finals in both Prepared Speech and Graphic Design Promotion.

Click here to view a photo album from Day One at the convention Thursday. Artesia's full state results will be reported at the competitions' conclusion. Good luck, BPA!

CTSO Day at the Capitol

Three female and two male teens in dark jackets pose for a photo in front of the state seal of New Mexico.

Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) Day at the New Mexico State Capitol saw Artesia's BPA officers meeting with state senators and representatives as they learned more about the Legislature and how it serves the state's business community. Click here for a photo album.

FFA

State Parliamentary Procedure Contest

Both Artesia FFA's Conduct of Chapter Meeting Team and Chapter Parliamentary Procedure Team brought home state championships from the 2025 New Mexico FFA State Parliamentary Procedure Contest, held Jan. 19-20 on the Eastern New Mexico University campus in Portales.

A graphic shows a group of teens in FFA jackets holding a state champions banner.

A graphic shows a group of teens in FFA jackets holding a state champions banner.

The teams were also honored for their achievements by the APS Board of Education at its February meeting. They'll be advancing to the National FFA Convention Oct. 29 - Nov. 1 in Indianapolis.

A group of one male and five female teens in FFA jackets pose for a photo while holding certificates. Three men and two women stand alongside them.A group of three female and three male teens wearing FFA jackets poses for a photo while holding certificates. Three men and two women stand alongside them.
FFA Week

Four female teens stand in front of Artesia City Hall, looking on as a man reads from a piece of paper.
Artesia FFA joined other chapters around the country last week in celebrating FFA Week. The designation was recognized by the City of Artesia, with Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Youtsey signing a proclamation at City Hall.

As part of the local chapter's FFA Week activities, members also headed into Eagle Draw last week to help keep Artesia beautiful with a clean-up project.

A group of nine photos shows teens posing for photos and cleaning up around an irrigation ditch.
Junior High Leadership Conference

Park Junior High School members of Artesia FFA were in Albuquerque Feb. 7-8 for the New Mexico Leadership Conference and junior high competitions. Artesia reached the top five in two of those competitions, with Daleigh Bean finishing third in Creed and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies Team placing fifth.

A graphic shows a female teen posing with a plaque.

A graphic shows a group of male and female teens wearing FFA jackets posing for a photo.

FFA Day at the Capitol

A group of one male and four female teens wearing FFA jackets pose for a photo in front of the state seal of New Mexico with two men and one woman.
Members of the Artesia FFA chapter were able to visit the Roundhouse in early February as the New Mexico Legislature celebrated FFA Day. Students learned about the legislative process, received a tour of the Capitol, and liaised with local representatives Jimmy Mason (District 66), pictured above, and Jon Henry (District 54). Click here to view a photo album.

District 5 Public Speaking Contest

One male and five female teens wearing FFA jackets pose for a photo. All are wearing medals.
The Artesia FFA had a great day at the District 5 Public Speaking Contest.

Coming away with first-place medals were Swayzee Folmar in Greenhand Prepared Speech and Bailey Trujillo in Chapter Prepared Speech. Chance Boans, Trujillo and Maddisun Mancha participated in Extemporaneous Speaking, coming away with second, third and fourth place, respectively, while Taylor Salter finished fourth and Adalyn Troost fifth in Chapter Prepared Speech.

Ag in the Classroom

A female teen in an FFA jacket holds a book open so three children can see the photos.A female teen in an FFA jacket leans over a table and watches as two children work to construct a small bee robot.
Local FFA students continued their participation in the Ag in the Classroom program, reading "The Beeman" and creating BeeBots with students at Central, Hermosa, Roselawn, Yeso and Yucca elementary schools.

Click here to view a photo album.

Scholarship Opportunities

Graduating seniors involved in FFA and/or 4-H should consider applying for an AgTrust Farm Credit and/or New Mexico Junior Livestock Foundation scholarship.

The deadline to apply for a NMJLF scholarship is Saturday, March 1. Click here to view requirements and complete an application.

The application period for the AgTrust scholarship is open through Saturday, March 15. Click here for more information and to apply!

BAND

Sweetheart Concert

Five female teens in evening gowns pose for a photo while holding flower bouquets. Their five male escorts stand beside them wearing suits.
(Photo Courtesy Artesia Bulldog Paw Prints)

The Artesia band program hosted its annual Sweetheart Concert Feb. 12 at the Artesia High School auditorium. Following musical selections ranging from "25 or 6 to 4" to "March of the Shadows" to "Danny Boy" from the AHS jazz band and Park Junior High and AHS concert bands, the Sweetheart Court was announced. This year's Band Sweetheart was Karissa Chavez-Valdez, escorted by Daniel Madrid. Her Court included Senior Princess Serena Bejarano, escorted by Kace Horner; Senior Princess Anna Netherlin, escorted by Damian Lopez; Junior Attendant Peyton Barela, escorted by Chase Collins; and Sophomore Attendant Gemma Molina, escorted by Jayden Leyva.

SKILLS USA

Capitol Visit

Six teens and one male adult in red jackets stand beside a man in a suit jacket and cowboy hat before the state seal of New Mexico.
Artesia's SkillsUSA chapter paid a visit to the State Capitol in late January, meeting with Rep. Jimmy Mason of Artesia to discuss the importance of vocational education in the educational curriculum. Mason praised the "incredibe skills these young leaders are developing for the future."