November 5, 2018
EDCAL 9
National FFA Organization and Microsoft announce
initiative for transformational innovation
The National FFA Organization and
Microsoft Corp. have announced a col-
laboration to bring innovative technology,
science, research, and entrepreneurship to
the classrooms of more than 650,000 FFA
student members nationwide, through an
initiative known as Blue 365.
FFA members are the future of the food
industry, which is relying on this generation
to meet unparalleled challenges to feed a
growing population. In a modern world,
food and agriculture industries are reliant
on precision agriculture, big data, cloud
technology, robotic systems, advanced com-
munications and other sophisticated tech-
nologies. Blue 365 will serve as a catalyst for
evolving sustainability, innovative efficiency, and preparing the future leaders who will
solve the world’s critical agricultural chal-
lenges.
“Today’s FFA members are our future
industry leaders,” FFA CEO Mark Poeschl
said. “The future relies on connecting diver-
sity of innovational approach, solutions-ori-
entation and cutting-edge technology. We
are excited that Microsoft shares our vision
of Blue 365. Through agricultural education
and FFA, our members are evolving their
skill sets for the 21st century demands; they
will be the change in our industry. Blue 365
can be the spark needed to create the next
big idea in agriculture.”
Blue 365 was unveiled in Indianapolis,
Ind., at the 91st National FFA Convention & Expo, the nation’s largest student con-
vention. With the vision and commitment
of title sponsors Microsoft and AgriNovus
Indiana, the Blue Room, a 17,000-square-
foot interactive space, will showcase the
cutting-edge technology, research and inno-
vation happening across the spectrum.
“While digital technology is transform-
ing every part of the American economy, not
everyone is acquiring the skills to thrive,”
said Brad Smith, president of Microsoft.
“As a company, we’re focused on ensuring
everyone, regardless of their geography or
circumstance, has access to the digital skills
they need to compete and prosper. And our
partnership with the National FFA will
expand this work, helping students across the country prepare for digital jobs and the
farms of the future.”
Microsoft’s participation in Blue 365 is
part of its commitment to helping people
who may be impacted by technological
advances and builds on its TechSpark initia-
tive launched last year. TechSpark is a civic
program fostering greater opportunity and
job creation in smaller metropolitan areas.
The initiative is in six regions, including in
North Dakota, and focuses on five program
areas: digital transformation, digital skills
and computer science education, career
pathways, rural broadband connectivity, and
support for nonprofits.
NUÑEZ himself.
“I think in the labor camp, you could eas-
ily be influenced to do things that were not
correct,” Nuñez said. “And there was really
no adult supervision. I can do whatever I
want. Who’s going to tell me what to do?”
Nuñez started skipping school and as
he describes, hanging out with the wrong
crowd. The low point came when he spent
two weeks at the Tulare County Juvenile
Detention Center for breaking into a teach-
er’s car.
“I knew I was always smart,” Nuñez
said. “But at that point, I didn’t make the
right decision. I feel like I let a lot of people
down.”
Those two weeks proved to be a turning
point as Nuñez found a support system at
Monache High School.
“He just had this inner glow and inner
confidence,” former Monache High coun- selor Hank Handelsman said. “You could
just tell the gleam in his eye. People saw his
gleam and they adopted him.”
In 2003, Nuñez won the ACSA Tulare
County Charter Every Student Succeeding
award, given to students who have overcome
tremendous adversity to get to where they
are today.
“It meant a lot to me, that award,” Nuñez
said. “And there’s a reason why it still sticks
on my desk. It’s a reminder of where I’ve
been.”
After graduating from UC Santa Cruz,
Nuñez moved his family out of the labor
camp. He started his career in education
as a school counselor before moving into
administration. Now in his fourth year at
Seaside Middle School, Nuñez has worked
hard to change the culture of the school.
“In a short amount of time, he has
built a community in a variety of ways,” said Monterey Peninsula USD Assistant
Superintendent Beth Wodecki. “If you
come to back-to-school night, you’ll see a
taco stand and a mariachi band. And people
mingling about. And a real vibrant commu-
nity feel that he’s building here.”
Nuñez says he was shocked after learn-
ing he was the recipient of ACSA’s 2018
Middle Grades Principal of the Year Award.
In fact, he is the first person to win both the
Every Student Succeeding recognition and
Administrator of the Year.
“I came to this country with nothing,”
Nuñez said. “Not even the language. And
not even with documents. Use your story as
a motivation to inspire others. But also as a
reminder of how far you’ve come. And how
far you still have to go.”
Nuñez and all of ACSA's Administrators
of the Year will be honored at the President's
Award Dinner, Nov. 9.
Continued from page 1
would keep in contact with me. My grand-
ma tells me that she would send money all
the time. Whatever she could. Even if it was
$50 or $100. And then we had the hope of
reuniting.”
It would take seven years for that dream
to become a reality. But on June 10, 1994,
Manny, along with his grandmother, made
it to the states.
“It was almost like a new beginning and
a fresh start from where we were at to where
we were now,” Nuñez said.
Nuñez and his family lived in the
Woodville Farm Labor Camp. He described
it as a tight community but resources were
lacking. Nuñez’s mom worked in the fields
which meant Nuñez often had to fend for
Paid Advertisement
Paid Advertisement