The 2026 California State Association FFA State Speaking Finals was held at the Fresno Convention Center on April 16. The Los Banos FFA had three students competing in three different contests.
Ethan Pacheco (10) made the final round and finished 6th Overall in the state for the Impromptu contest. This is the first time FFA has had a student make it this far in this contest.
Max Meneffe (9) made the finals and at the end of the day was named the 2026 State Creed Speaking Champion. This contest has been offered since 1974 and this is the first State Champion that the Los Banos Chapter has ever had.
El Credo de la FFA (the FFA Creed in Spanish)
Lexie Riviera (9) also made the finals and was named the 2026 State El Credo de la FFA Speaking Champion. This contest is newer to the offerings and has been with FFA for four years. Riviera also is the first State Champion in the category for Los Banos.
With the State Championship Titles, they both are now qualified for the National FFA Speaking Finals to be held in Indianapolis, Indiana this coming October at the National FFA Convention representing not only the Los Banos FFA Chapter, but the California State Association FFA as a whole.
