Brawley Union High School is celebrating a major milestone this week as one of its own students, Kayley Galindo, earned an impressive 5th-place finish at the California FFA State Speaking Finals. The competition was held in Fresno, California, where Kayley represented both her chapter and region with outstanding skill and confidence.
The FFA Creed Speaking Career Development Event (CDE) is one of the most rigorous contests available to first-year FFA members. Competitors must memorize and deliver the five-paragraph FFA Creed, then answer questions about its meaning, history, and relevance to modern agriculture. The event tests not only memorization but also poise, clarity, and the ability to think critically under pressure.
Kayley entered the state competition after securing 1st place at both the sectional and regional levels, achievements that earned her a spot among the top 24 Creed speakers in California. After advancing through the preliminary rounds in Fresno, she ultimately placed 5th in the state—a remarkable accomplishment, especially considering that Brawley FFA has not had a student place in the finals in over a decade.
Reflecting on her experience, Kayley shared how surreal the moment felt as she advanced through the competition.
“I was confident in myself since it’s something I understand and had been working on for months, but once I moved onto the second round of finals I was like, wow, this is real. I knew my mother were already proud of me regardless of where I placed, but I wanted to go as far as I could.” She also expressed excitement for what lies ahead. “This is just the start of my public speaking competitions, so I know I’ll hopefully be back at state many more times.”
Although Brawley FFA has sent students to the state competition before, advancing to the final round is extremely challenging. Kayley’s placement showcases her dedication and the continued strength of Brawley’s agricultural education and leadership programs.
Brawley was also represented by Aubrey Cazares, who placed 5th at the regional level before competing at state in Prepared Public Speaking, and Alexa Moya, who also earned 2nd place in the region and advanced to state in El Credo Public Speaking. Both students finished in the top 24 statewide.
Together, these accomplishments mark an exciting moment for Brawley FFA and highlight the talent, hard work, and commitment of its members.