By: Beth Musto
As the 2023-2024 school year comes to an end, club presidents are choosing their new team and are recalling their past four years at Redwood.
Throughout the school years, club presidents play a very special role when it comes to the club that they’re passionate about. CSF [California Scholarship Federation], FFA [Future Farmers of America], and FBLA [Future Business Leaders of America] are some of Redwood’s major clubs that have a big student population.
President of CSF, Ashlyn Gunter, ‘24, has been a part of CSF for all of her four years at Redwood, making her a lifetime member.
Gunter says, “I have been the CSF president for the past school year! I have loved this year serving as the CSF president. I have been in club presidency before, but this has by far been one of my favorite experiences. I love how involved this club is and I adore this year’s officer team.”
Keria Bixler ‘24, has been this year’s Co-President for FBLA. She started in her freshman year, making her way up until her Senior year to become Co-President.
Alongside Bixler, Adam Hacker, ‘24 has also been the Co-President for FBLA. Hacker is a four-year member.
Hacker says, “This year I served as Chapter Co-President with Keira, but I’ve had other positions throughout my four years of high school across the regional and national levels. I previously served as the VP of Competitions for two years for Redwood FBLA.”
Bixler says, “This year had its challenges but I can honestly say it was one of the biggest opportunities for growth I’ve ever experienced. I am so proud of my team and our members and we reached so many of our lofty goals for this year!”
President of FFA, Marileigh Coon, ‘24, has been a part of FFA for the past three years here at Redwood. Coon is also going to continue with FFA into her senior year!
Coon says, “My position is the president and I have gotten the opportunity to serve as our vice president next year. I felt this year went amazing especially with the opening of the new floral and horticulture pathway since it allowed us to grow and involve ourselves in more things in the FFA that we previously hadn’t done.”
This past school year, all of the teams went amazing! They had high goals for competition, new pathways, and service projects and were proud to make their goal!
Hacker says, “I think this year went awesome! Our biggest goal for the year was to place at sweepstakes at the state level, and I’m proud to say we did, mostly with the help from our amazing VP of Competitions, Linda and Chloe. We placed 10th overall at State!”
“I love how involved this club is and I adore this year’s officer team. We all work so well together and I am proud of all of the service projects we have done this year, especially in the fall when we were all trying to figure out how to run CSF with Mrs. Vieira gone.” Says, Gunter.
Challenges were made in the process, but they made it out stronger than before. Officers couldn’t be more happy with their team for this year.
“This year had its challenges but I can honestly say it was one of the biggest opportunities for growth I’ve ever experienced. I am so proud of my team and our members and we reached so many of our lofty goals for this year!” Says, Bixler.
As the officers graduate or move into a new position, they hope that the new officers can carry the team to success once more. The Presidents got to share a little advice for the 2024-2025 team in hopes of making it fun for everyone!
Coon says, “My advice for the team next year is to keep up the good communication we have with each other as well as the spirit for the FFA that brings us closer.”
“Be passionate! When you enjoy your officer position, the job becomes much easier. So have fun with it.” Hacker says.
Gunter says, “Each officer has strengths and don’t be afraid to ask for help…During the crazy stressful planning times of service projects and during the actual events when you’re trying to make sure everything is going smoothly, remember that this is your senior year and these are going to be some of the best moments you’ll remember.”
Beth Musto
Beth Musto '26, is a third-year Journalist for the Redwood Gigantea and is a writer for Clubs & Lifestyles, and is the assistant editor-in-chief. She is a part of CSF and is the secretary for the Paperback Rangers Book Club. Her email is, beth.mu3554@vusd.us
Tags: clubs & lifestyles, Redwood, redwood gigantea, redwood high school, redwood journalism, redwood rangers, visalia ca
