Melissa Lua-Duarte, the 2024-25 California FFA State Treasurer.
Melissa Lua-Duarte never imagined the impact FFA would have on her life when she was placed in an agriculture class at Santa Maria High School in California.
At the time, she didn’t know much about the organization or agriculture beyond what she had seen growing up in a Hispanic family rooted in hard work. Her father, an immigrant, had spent years working in the fields. For Lua-Duarte, agriculture meant labor and sacrifice — not opportunity. But everything changed the day she recited the FFA Creed during her first competition.
The words of the FFA Creed sparked something within her — a belief in the promise of agriculture and her own potential. Lua-Duarte didn’t just memorize the words; she internalized them, determined to embody their message throughout her FFA journey.
Facing Challenges Head-On
Despite this newfound passion, Lua-Duarte faced her share of challenges. Fear of rejection was a constant battle. Her first attempts to run for chapter and sectional office ended in defeat. “Rejection is redirection,” Lua-Duarte said, a lesson she learned through those setbacks.
Instead of giving up, she used each loss as a stepping stone, pushing herself to grow. Her perseverance paid off when she was elected as South Coast Regional secretary as a junior.
Finding Her Passion
It was in that role that Lua-Duarte truly began to flourish. Surrounded by mentors — including her advisors, peers, regional advisor and parents — she found the guidance and encouragement she needed to believe in herself.
Her favorite Career Development Event (CDE), Nursery and Landscape, became a place where she thrived in teamwork and hands-on learning, discovering a passion for plant science that she hopes to pursue in the future.
Taking a Leap of Faith
As her senior year approached, Lua-Duarte decided to take a leap of faith and submit her state officer application just moments before the deadline. “My greatest motivation,” she said, “was helping others discover their potential, making friends and building connections.”
A Surreal Moment of Success
When the moment came and Lua-Duarte was elected to serve as a California FFA state officer, it was nothing short of surreal. Standing on stage, she realized that every rejection and challenge had led her to this moment.
Now, as state treasurer, she serves more than 100,000 California FFA members alongside her teammates, living her dream of leadership and inspiring others to embrace their own journeys.
Words of Wisdom
Her advice to FFA members is simple yet powerful: “Just show up.” Those three words capture the essence of her story — showing up even when the odds seem stacked against you, even when fear whispers that you might fail.
Lua Duarte’s journey proves that courage isn’t the absence of fear, but the determination to move forward anyway.
A Legacy of Inspiration
From a quiet girl unsure of her path to a leader making a difference in the lives of thousands, Lua-Duarte’s story is a testament to the transformative power of FFA. She is proof that rejection is not the end, but the beginning of something greater — an opportunity to redirect, rise and inspire.
