Alumni in Careers

FFA leadership skills leads Madera South grad to a future in meat production

By Laura Toney, College and Career Readiness Coordinator

Mario Alvarez is a graduate of the Madera South High Class of 2016. He is the son of Mario and Gloria Alvarez of Madera. Mario is currently a junior at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX where he is majoring in Mechanical Engineering with an emphasis on Agriculture. His ideal job is to work in the meat processing business, as an engineer who designs for safety and efficiency in the meat industry. While in school, he has found the opportunity to already work within his career field. Mario is currently working at the on-campus Restaurant and Meat Market. He shared that, at Texas Tech, they raise their own animals while studying the livestock feed and efficiency of raising their own meat. The University also sells the meat they produce, in their restaurant and market, and reinvest their profits back into the school’s livestock program. When questioned as to the number one skill attained in high school that he utilizes daily, Mario quickly replied, “Public Speaking.” Mario shared that he did not like to participate in public speaking at all when he entered high school. As a freshman in Mr. Brent George’s ag mechanics class, he joined FFA and signed up for Creed Public Speaking. He said that choice enabled him to break the ice. broke the ice. After that, he raised swine projects, judged meats, and continued to work on his leadership skills. Mario stated he was elected FFA Chapter President his senior year in high school. “I use my speaking skills every single day, both at work and in class. I notice I am also a better writer thanks to my ability to speak well. I also feel I have better time management skills, a strong work ethic, and , and I learned all of that through leadership and FFA at Madera South High School.” Mario is a great example of using passion and interest as a guide to find an ideal career. He is on a direct path to attain his goals.