Over 20 FFA chapter members attended the 98th annual California FFA Leadership Conference this past week in Ontario. These Bullfrogs had a jam-packed five days serving on committees, facilitating workshops, and competing for awards. Again this year, Bret Harte FFA returned to the Pond with two state champions.
Senior Peyton Heermance became a two-time state champion when he was named the 2026 California State Star in Agriculture Placement. Class of 2025 alum Nancy Sullivan became the 2026 Agricultural Proficiency Award state champion in beef placement. She was the runner-up last year.
Heermance and Sullivan qualified to move forward with national scoring in May in hopes of representing California in the 99th National FFA Convention & Expo scheduled to begin on October 21, 2026 in Indianapolis.
Sullivan joins Heermance, Taleah Lusk and Kelsey Landreth as state agricultural proficiency award state champions. Lusk in 2025 in poultry production and Landreth in 2006 also in poultry production.
Heermance made school history with his incredible feat when he received the California State Star in Agriculture Placement. This prestigious Star recognition is awarded to just five student members each year including Star Farmer, Star in Agribusiness, Star in Agriculture Placement, Star in Agriscience and Star Small Farmer. This is the first Star awarded to a Bret Harte FFA student-member in the school’s agriculture program history making Heermance a 2-time state champion for his Supervised Agriculture Experience working with the Angels Camp Veterinary Hospital.
Star in Agriculture Placement Award finalists represent the top six students from across the state that have the best supervised agriculture experience (“SAE”) project working for ag related businesses. SAE projects require students log hours and income and develop leadership through these experiences gaining hands on training. Heermance competed against five other finalists that had diverse projects in animal science, ag mechanics, and diversified crop management. With this award, he was awarded a $2500 scholarship and will have the chance to submit his award for national finals consideration. Heermance has worked for the Angels Camp Vet Hospital for the last four years, logging his vast project and has become highly decorated for his work at the state and national level. Currently, Heermance is the 2025 National FFA Agricultural Proficiency in Veterinary Science Champion. Read more at https://www.brethartebullfrogs.org/o/bhhs/article/2531823.
On day two of the convention, chapter president and senior Carson Prescott was the runner-up in the 2026 Agricultural Proficiency Award in mechanical design and fabrication. Prescott assisted over 30 hours serving on the state nominating committee interviewing state officer candidates. He was commended by the state FFA advisor for his work ethic and time he poured into the process.
Chapter vice president and junior Iris Bender served as the subcommittee chair of the California Ag Plate Member Engagement Committee. Along with chapter advisor Mr. Sawyer, she facilitated a workshop for 50 delegates from across the state to brainstorm ways the Ag Plate program can grow and continue to support our California FFA association and raise funds for the FFA Foundation. Learn more about the program at https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/egov/calagplate.
“Please congratulate them when they return this week on an impressive week at convention,” shared Mr. Sawyer. “It has been a memorable and meaningful experience for all!”
Learn more about Bret Harte FFA and the amazing things these Bullfrogs are doing at https://www.instagram.com/bretharteffachapter. Photo courtesy of Bret Harte FFA. Pictured is Heermance.