Fairfield Union High School students place 5th at the FCCLA National Leadership Conference
Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA)’s National Leadership Conference (NLC) was held June 30-July 4 in Anaheim, California. More than 8,700 participants from across the country gathered together to attend leadership and program trainings, hear national speakers, meet youth leaders from across the nation, participate in Competitive Events, and explore college and career options.
Over 4,700 FCCLA members competed in STAR (Students Taking Action with Recognition) Events at NLC. STAR Events are competitive events in which members are recognized for their proficiency and achievement in chapter and individual projects, leadership skills, and career preparation. Both youth and adults work together in managing the events and serving as evaluators of the participants. Students develop real world skills participating in STAR Events.
Events aim to support student development of knowledge and skills by enhancing the classroom experience and career pathway initiatives by equipping students with employable skills and industry insights needed to thrive in the 21st century. FCCLA members choose what STAR Event they would like to compete in, events vary from Early Childhood Education, Entrepreneurship, and Sports Nutrition to Fashion Design, Job Interview, and Culinary Arts.
In order to advance to the national level in a STAR Event, members first compete at the district and state level. Amanda Baker and Julia Miller competed in National Programs in Action: Families First at FCCLA’s National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, California and received a GOLD medal in the event and placed 5th in the Nation out of 57 other teams. Their project focused on raising funds to buy groceries to prepare a meal at Ronald McDonald House in Columbus, making blankets for Fairfield Medical Center’s Maternity Floor, and organizing the school-wide food drive that benefited local families.
About FCCLA
Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) is a dynamic and effective national student organization that helps young men and women become leaders and address important personal, family, work, and societal issues through Family and Consumer Sciences education. FCCLA has over 175,000 members and more than 5,300 chapters from 50 state associations, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
FCCLA: The Ultimate Leadership Experience is unique among youth organizations because its programs are planned and run by members, and it’s the only career and technical in-school student organization with a central focus on careers that support families. Participation in national FCCLA programs and chapter activities helps members become strong leaders in their families, careers, and communities.
For more information on FCCLA, please contact Jennifer McClure-Spillers at Fairfield Union High School.