MENDOTA - The Mendota FFA Alumni was welcomed as a new member of the Mendota Area Chamber of Commerce on April 20. Attending the welcoming ceremony were, front row left to right, Tammy Sondgeroth, Chamber ambassador; Jesse Arellano, Mendota Area Chamber of Commerce executive director; Cory Biers, FFA Alumni president; Bradley Piller, FFA Alumni treasurer; and Anna Arteaga, Chamber ambassador; back row, Michelle Hansen, Chamber ambassador; Lee Stocking, Chamber ambassador; Nick Piller, FFA Alumni secretary; and Brian Atherton, FFA Alumni vice president. The Mendota FFA Alumni group started in 2002 and has grown to 65 members along with 25 associate members who are recent graduates of the Mendota FFA. Alumni membership is open to anyone interested in supporting the Mendota FFA. Their fundraising includes a drawdown and a toy show with the proceeds going toward projects at Mendota High School including the greenhouse and adjacent paved parking lot. They also assisted with the move to the new high school in 2003. The alumni strive to encourage FFA members and last year, committed to paying $500 to any student in Mendota FFA who receives their State FFA degree and a $1,000 check to anyone who receives their American FFA degree. Their overall purpose is to provide financial and knowledge-based support to help students grow. (Reporter photo by Jennifer Sommer)