A Santa Fe High School 2026 graduate has won the National Agricultural Education Invitational, held in conjunction with the recent National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Oliver Flanagan took first place in the competition, which encourages high school FFA students to explore careers in agricultural education. Competitors in the national contest represent an elite group of students who excelled at state level events. They had to submit lesson plans, deliver a lesson to a group of students in person and take a written exam.

Flanagan prepared for the competition with the help of Brooke Bailey, who directs the Academy of Agriscience career-tech magnet program at Santa Fe High.

“I was really inspired by the teachers I had in the program,” said Flanagan. “I’d like to show students the different professional opportunities there are in a field that’s often overlooked. I’d especially like to do it in a practical setting like the one I experienced when I was going through high school.”

Flanagan, who is studying wildlife ecology and animal sciences at the University of Florida, was surprised by and gratified by the win the national competition.

“It was my last contest, so it was a really cool way to end my time in high school FFA,” said Flanagan. “I’m so grateful for the friends and teachers who were there to celebrate with me. It was a really special moment.”

Also during the National FFA Convention, a Santa Fe High team that included Taylor Batten, Samuel Nichol, Jerick King and Naomi Cooper took fifth place in the Food Science and Technology competition. Team members completed a series of challenges demonstrating food industry skills, safety knowledge, project development and more. The event is designed to help students gain hands-on experience and knowledge in food science, safety and product development.

“Success like this doesn’t happen overnight; it is the result of countless hours of preparation, perseverance, and a passion for excellence,” said Bailey. “Knowing how much time and dedication these members put into preparing, the countless hours their coach and advisors invested, and the support their parents provided makes hearing “Florida!” announced such an emotional moment.”