By Nancy Gutierrez
The Exeter Union High School Agriculture Department received several honors at a recent meeting involving the 15 departments located in the Sequoia Section.
High School Ag Departments are divided into sections of 15 to 20 schools located within one or two counties.
The Sequoia Section is made up of schools in Tulare County that are east of Highway 99. Sections are then grouped to form regions. Sequoia is one of five sections that make up the San Joaquin Region.
The newest member to the EUHS ag department, Kelly Leal, received the Outstanding Young Teacher in the Section award.
This award is given to teachers who have taught for fewer than five years. Dan Crookam, a 15-year teacher in the department, said Leal competed against more than 12 other teachers in the section.
"For her to get this in her second year is indicative that she is doing the right things and going the right way," he said. "She's got a real shot at the state level."
Crookam received the Outstanding Teacher award for educators who have taught six or more years.
Both Crookam and Leal were chosen by their peers for the awards and are eligible to compete at the regional and state levels.
EUHS Ag teachers, which include teacher Janice Ede and student teacher Brigette Kidder, were also given the outstanding medium-sized department award. Medium size departments have two to three ag teachers.
There are currently 10 medium departments in the section. This award is also voted on by other Sequoia Section teachers and is based on involvement in all areas of FFA and ag education.
Leal said most teachers vote for those chapters that are well rounded and excel in a variety of areas.
