Buz Arnold
 

Teaches
Ag Foods and Processing
Intro to Shop Skills
Coaches

Advanced Parliamentary Procedure Team

Natural Resources
Project Competition
SAE Supervision
Swine
Work Experience

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Buz grew up in Merced and graduated from Merced High School. He attended Merced College, transferred to UC Davis, and graduated with a BS in Agricultural Managerial Economics. Throughout college, during the school year, he worked part-time at ski shops in Merced and Davis. During the summers, he worked in Yosemite as a guide/packer, leading rides, packing supplies into the high country, and hauling livestock. Buz also worked two winters in Tahoe City as a ski and boot technician, fitting ski boots and tuning skis and snowboards. Buz went back to school at Cal Poly to get his Ag Teachers Credential and Masters and began teaching at Mariposa in 2001. He met Chelsea in Yosemite, where she was also a guide/packer. Buz and Chelsea have two children: Mackenzie and Owen.  Buz and Chelsea enjoy endurance riding, raising sheep, boating, fishing, and going to the beach. Buz coaches the Natural Resources Team, Novice Parliamentary Procedure Team, and Project Competition.

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Michelle Wise
 

Teaches
Ag Biology
Veterinary Science
Ag Leadership
Coaches
Impromptu Public Speaking
Vet Science
Opening/closing teams
Novice Parliamentary Procedure Team
SAE Supervision
Beef Cattle
Rabbits
Poultry
Work Experience

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Michelle is a 2000 graduate of Mariposa County High School and followed her dad's footsteps and passion for FFA and agriculture. She attended Merced College and majored in Animal Science while competitive livestock judging for the college during her 3 years at Merced College. She went on to transfer to Fresno State to major in Agriculture Education, receiving her bachelor's degree and teaching credential. She also received her Master's degree in Ag Education through Chico State. She worked her first 7 years as an ag teacher at Yosemite High School in Oakhurst, an opening took place at MCHS which allowed Michelle to move closer to home and teach at her Alma Mater. She has been teaching now for 19 years, loves teaching back at the high school she once attended. She currently teaches many of the Ag science courses along with coaching the Veterinary Science team, impromptu speaking contest, Opening and closing teams and new this year took on coaching the Novice Parli Pro Team. She is also the advisor for the FFA officers. She currently lives in Cathey's Valley with her husband Mike and 2 children Emmett and Kyndall where they enjoy raising and showing cattle, sheep and roping.

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​Maggie Swanson

 

Teaches
Ag Chemistry
Intro to Floral Design
Horticulture
Coaches
Ag Issues
Job Interview
SAE Supervision
Goats
Work Experience

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Maggie grew up in Northern California and went on to Cal Poly for her undergraduate studies. She worked on the Cal Poly Dairy for years and was involved in the Young Cattlemen's Association. Her academic journey didn't stop there; She completed her teaching credentials and masters degree at UC Davis. Growing up, she was very involved in FFA and showed livestock at jackpots across the state and competed at county fairs. She participated in livestock judging throughout high school and various speaking contests, as well as served in different officer positions. Maggie comes from a big family that includes three brothers and a sister, and her famous wiener dog named Sissy. She currently teaches AG Chemistry, Horticulture, and Floral Design. Maggie also coaches Job Interview and the AG Issues Team, which is new to Mariposa FFA. What stood out to her to move to Mariposa is how our community is so much like where she grew up.

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Felipe Barrientos
 

Teaches
Intro to Welding
Small Engines / Ag Physics
Welding and Fabrication

Coaches
Welding Team
Fabrication Team
Prepared Public Speaking
FFA Spanish Creed

SAE Supervision
Beef
Small Animals

Felipe Barrientos is a veteran Agriculture Mechanics instructor with over 15 years of experience teaching agricultural education in California. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education from California State University, Fresno, and his Master’s Degree in Agricultural Education from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Throughout his career, Mr. Barrientos has focused on building strong, hands-on CTE programs that prepare students for both college and industry careers.

He has expanded agriculture mechanics programs into full four-year pathways, helped students earn college credit through dual enrollment welding courses, and mentored numerous students to high levels of success in FFA competitions. His students have earned State FFA Degrees, competed at state finals in welding and public speaking events, and achieved top rankings in those competitions throughout his career.

Outside of school, he enjoys spending time with his wife Alyse, who is the attendance secretary at MCHS and his two children Cheyenne and Michael, who both attend MES. Some of their favorite activities to do together are camping, playing board games, trips to the ocean, and trips to Disneyland.