Spring Branch ISD Featured News

 

At this year’s Spring Branch FFA (SBFFA) Show and Sale, more than $600,000 was raised through the auction of student livestock and project entries.

The stands were full of buyers, parents and community members who believe in the work our students are doing. But what families and the community witnessed was not just an auction. They saw students who could confidently present their projects.

Students who understood the financial commitment behind their work. Students who had learned discipline, resilience and leadership through months of preparation. They saw young people who are gaining skills that will carry them into college, careers and beyond.

That is the impact of Career and Technical Education (CTE) in SBISD.

Through the Agricultural Science and FFA programs in SBISD, middle and high school students participate in hands-on learning experiences that mirror real industry expectations. Students manage livestock projects, design and build agricultural mechanics entries, compete in horticulture and floral design, and prepare food and creative arts projects for certified agricultural judges.

• The nonlivestock showcase, held two weeks prior to the livestock show, featured baked goods, agricultural mechanics, floral design and photography. Grand and reserve champions in each category advanced to auction, where proceeds directly benefit students.
• Livestock students commit to daily care at the SBISD Agricultural Science Center (Ag Center), often arriving before school and returning in the afternoon. Those raising steers, goats, swine and lambs attend to their animals twice daily from May through February, including summer and winter breaks.

“The hardest part about raising animals is that you can’t always predict their behavior,” said Stratford High School (SHS) junior Ophylia Luu, who earned grand champion honors for both her lamb and steer. “They have personalities and bad days just like people do, and they can be very stubborn at times. On the other hand, they can also be sweet and very loving, which makes up for the challenges.”

Students raising rabbits, broilers and turkeys commit to shorter project cycles but still carry full responsibility for the care and development of their animals. Certified judges evaluate entries based on industry standards for productivity, structural soundness and overall quality.

“When I first showed my chickens to the judge, I was a bit nervous, but I quickly overcame that and later felt confident,” said Spring Woods High School (SWHS) junior Ashley Panjoi. “Throughout my involvement in FFA, I learned that I genuinely enjoy raising animals and teaching others just how important agriculture is as a whole.”

 

Beyond project work, students must maintain strong grades, complete service hours and contribute to program responsibilities to qualify for auction participation. These expectations reinforce time management, accountability and perseverance.

With only minimal administrative costs retained to host the event, auction proceeds go directly to students. Some reinvest in future livestock projects. Others use funds for college expenses. Through the Yarborough/Texas Regional Bank/Breed Micro Loan program, students who need seed funding can purchase an animal and repay the loan after the February auction.

This is workforce development. This is financial literacy. This is CTE programming preparing students for real outcomes.

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FFA and Agricultural Science are integral to SBISD’s T-2-4 vision.

District families expect strong academics paired with meaningful, hands on career pathways so students graduate ready with both knowledge and real world experience. That expectation is shared across the community.

Each year, more than 200 volunteers, parents, educators and supporters step up to help produce the show and sale. An engaged SBFFA board works side by side with dedicated SBISD Agricultural Science teachers to strengthen, sustain and grow the program for the next generation.

The newly opened Ag Center left a lasting impression on guests attending the Show and Sale, underscoring the district’s commitment to world class CTE facilities for SBISD students.

“There was a tremendous renewed energy for students, teachers and buyers this year,” said Chris Gonzalez, president of the SBFFA board. “The community could see the district’s dedication to quality programming and facilities.”

The modernized barns and updated classrooms were funded through the 2022 Bond Program approved by Spring Branch voters, a direct investment by the community in high quality learning environments.

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Congratulations to these top winners at the 2026 SBFFA Show and Sale:

Non-livestock Grand and Reserve Champions

Food 

Grand Champion: Claire Bernadac, Stratford High School
Reserve Champion: Charlotte Moore, Stratford High School

Horticulture

Grand Champion: Charlotte Moore, Stratford High School
Reserve Champion: Cora Kelley, Spring Forest Middle School

Creative Arts 

Grand and Reserve Champion: Charlotte Moore, Stratford High School

Ag Mechanics

Grand Champion: Quinn Hopper, Stratford High School
Reserve Champion: Elise Bernadac, Stratford High School

Livestock Grand and Reserve Champions

Turkeys 

Grand Champion: Grace Smith, Westchester Academy for International Studies
Reserve Champion: Sebastian Gonzalez, KIPP

Broilers
Grand Champion: Colton Coan, Stratford High School
Reserve Champion: Liam Galmiche, Westchester Academy for International Studies

Goats

Grand Champion: Samantha Hayes, Memorial High School
Reserve Champion: Abigail Clark, Stratford High School

Lambs 

Grand Champion: Ophylia Luu, Stratford High School
Reserve Champion: Colton Coan, Stratford High School

Rabbits

Grand Champion: John Nugent, Stratford High School
Reserve Champion: Emma Bethea, Spring Forest Middle School 

Steers
Grand Champion: Ophylia Luu, Stratford High School
Reserve Champion: Kenzie Bates, Stratford High School

Swine
Grand Champion: Ayla Klein, Memorial High School
Reserve Champion: Grace Smith, Westchester Academy for International Studies

View event photo gallery here.

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SBISD offers strong academics, award-winning Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs and proven student outcomes.
Enrollment for the current school year is open.
Details for 2026-2027 enrollment can be found on the SBISD website.