Sun Sets on the 98th FFA State Conference

Taylor Shimamoto

May 19, 2026

Features

Click to watch this video story here

Dawn is a symbol of beginnings, a promise that at the end of every long night, the sun will always rise on new opportunities. Members of Bear River FFA took this message home with them, along with two wins; Luke Browning, our district’s CTE director was recognized with the Star Administrator Award for his contributions to agriculture, and senior Faith Aleila Escoto was elected FFA State Reporter for 2026-2027.

Other notable people include:

State delegates – Wendy Fowler (‘27) and Tessa Strong (‘28)

Regional officers – Audra Paasch (‘27) and Malia Spotts (‘27)

Scholarship recipients – Viviana Velazquez (Blue Diamond Almond Growers)

Parliamentarian – Audra Paasch

Courtesy Corps – Taylor Shimamoto (‘28)

Press Corps – Viviana Velazquez (‘26)

Graduating seniors: Faith Escoto, Viviana Velazquez, Dakota Graham, Taylor Chaney

Though the class of 2026’s time in the blue jacket is over, they will always treasure the memories made in corduroy. Head over to the BRCurrent YouTube channel to watch a behind-the-scenes perspective of members’ state conference experiences.

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About the Contributor

Taylor Shimamoto

Taylor Shimamoto is a sophomore at Bear River who has been passionate about writing since third grade (when she penned a horribly written story called “Cotton Candy Princesses”). She hopes to attend college in New York and get a Master’s Degree in either English or creative writing. Aside from writing, Taylor loves murder mystery novels, the school’s theater department, FFA and listening to indie-pop music.