PCHS Bulletin – Haven Wood
Date Published – May 26, 2026
FFA had a busy year from the Manatee County Fair, National FFA week, and numerous projects and contests. They celebrated the year’s accomplishments at their annual award ceremony on May 12.
Roughly 300 people (students and parents) were in attendance. They were served a meal in the PCHS cafeteria before heading to the auditorium to recognize the year’s achievements.
The Parrish FFA chapter won 3 Chapter Awards at the state level, 2 agriscience fair state championships, and celebrated multiple top 5 state finishes. Additionally, roughly 50 students earned their state degree.
They also reflected on their success at the Manatee County Fair. The fair took place from January 15-25 with roughly 80 Parrish FFA students showing their animal or plant projects.
In prep for fair, everybody begins raising their animal around August/September and raises their animal all the way through. In addition, they have chapter animals to show too, including their chapter steer and chapter pig. The money received from selling the chapter animals acts as a fundraiser towards their Parrish FFA chapter. The students that show the chapter animals take care of the animal all year long which acts as a service project, also counting towards their community service hours.
In addition to awards won by students and the chapter, one of the advisors, Susan Grainger, was nominated as a finalist for Advisor of the Year. The FFA Association said in a news release that the purpose of this award is to “recognize educators who have made a positive difference in the lives of their students.”
Shortly after the awards ceremony, the officers for the 2026-2027 school year were announced:
Sophia Gagliano – President
Cole Arrant – First Vice President
Sophia Austine – Second Vice President
Marley Miller – Secretary
Hannah Smith – Treasurer
Caroline Steward – Reporter
Savannah Primrose – Sentinel
Kaycee Kirby – Student Advisor
Kristen Brooks – Chaplain
Kallee Rhoades – Historian
Clayton Reagan – Parliamentarian
Kirby said her primary accomplishment this year was receiving fourth place for Ag Business. She served as a Vice President this year. Her role next year as Student Advisor will primarily focus on helping with the seniors.
Arrant spoke on placing as state champ for Ag Fair, placing third in the state with the Landscape Team, and placing third on the Land Evaluation team. As this year’s Secretary, his primary job was note taking, corresponding with other Secretaries, and keeping track of membership attendance. For the upcoming year, holding the Vice President position entails helping coordinate with the President and other officers.
Miller said that her biggest accomplishment this year was showing her steers. Her job this year as Sentinel was to stand by the door and make sure everyone feels welcome at meetings, taking care of the room. Next year her role as Secretary will be focused on making sure everyone has the proper resources to be successful for the year.
Brooks said that her biggest accomplishment this year was getting her state degree. She says that her duty as Chaplain is to ensure their membership be mindful of their need for spiritual development and help uplift the chapter and ensure that everyone is participating morally and having a great time. She looks forward to holding that position again next year.
Rhoades said her biggest achievement was placing overall in the county land contest. She was the high point individual for the county. She says that her team ended up going to states, where they placed third. Her role this year as Student Advisor was helping fix individual problems in the chapter and getting everything ready for their Senior Ceremony at the banquet. Her role next year as Historian is to digitally document events and create the end of the year slideshow for the students’ family members.