FCCLA Leadership Meeting
by Leslie Abbott
Nashville, TN. – More than 5,300 nationwide members, advisers,
alumni, and guests of Family, Career and Community Leaders of
America (FCCLA), gathered in Nashville, Tennessee July 12-16 for
the 2009 National Leadership Conference. Five JWMS and two JWHS
FCCLA members were among them.
This year’s student-devised subject was “Beyond the Label.”
Throughout the 5-day convention participants examined and discussed
several critical issues; including family, school and community
violence prevention, physical as well as financial fitness, future
career exploration and countless community service projects. A
number of relevant youth issues, such as the changing roles of men
and women in the home and workplace, traffic safety, and cancer
awareness were also explored at the meeting through presentations,
workshops, and youth sessions.
The FCCLA JWMS and JWHS members will continue to work with other
members and advisers in Kansas and District E-West to encourage
others to discover their strengths, motivate members to target
career goals, and initiate a plan to ignite youth leadership in
their community. During the National Leadership Conference JWMS
competed in STAR Events (Students Taking Action with Recognition)
which are competitive events that build proficiency and achievement
in leadership and job-related skills. 
Students
were presented medals at a recognition session honoring all
participants at the Gaylord Opryland Convention Center on Thursday,
July 16. Nearly 3,000 students advanced from the local, regional,
and state level of STAR Events to the national meeting. Taryn
Murray and Emalee McClurg received a silver medal for their Applied
Technology presentation on Teen Preganancy and Risks Associated
with Being Sexually Active. Applied Technology is an individual or
team event, recognized participants who develop a project using
technology that addresses a concern related to Family and Consumer
Sciences and/or related occupations and integrates and applies
content from academic subjects. Their team also was also selected
by the National FCCLA STAR Demonstration coordinator to participate
in having their presentation filmed. Their presentation will be
available on the National FCCLA website at fcclainc.org later this
fall.
The Chapter Showcase Manual team of Bailey Steffey, Kailee Gibson and Madison Fangman received a Gold medal rating for their presentation of their manual which highlighted events that took place in their chapter throughout the year. Their theme for the presentation was "Survivor". Chapter Showcase Manual is a team event, recognizes chapters that develop and implement a well-balanced program of work and promote FCCLA and Family and Consumer Sciences and/or related occupations and skills to the community.
Kailee Gibson was selected by the National STAR Event board to
participate in the Spotlight on Projects where representatives from
states share successful national, state, or chapter projects.
Chapter Showcase Display is the event 
Kailee
presented, recognizes chapters that develop and implement a
well-balanced program of work and promote FCCLA and Family and
Consumer Sciences and/or related occupations and skills to the
community. Her presentation was a revolving three-sided board
decorated as a palm tree which showcased the chapters activities
through-out the year. Her theme was "FCCLA: Survivor Skills For
Living". Kailee was available for a four-hour interaction with the
public about her project, how she created it and the best way to
prepare for State and Nationals. Kailee worked with Jacey Guy to
receive a Gold medal at Str this year.
FCCLA’s STAR Events are based on the belief that every student
is a winner. Competition, evaluation, and recognition all stress
cooperation as the basis of success. Both youth and adults work
together to manage the events and serve as evaluators of the
participants. Throughout the year, FCCLA members tackle issues such
as teen violence prevention, traffic safety, family issues, career
exploration, and much more. FCCLA programs and competitions enrich
student learning, improve self-esteem, and serve students with a
range of ability levels, economic situations, and cultural
influences.
Also in attendance representing Jefferson West High School were
Kaitlyn Fangman and Danielle Steffey. Kaitlyn Fangman was appointed
to go to the NLC by the State Adviser, Charlotte Smith, as District
E-West's President. She also will be presiding as the chapter
president of the JWHS chapter 2009-2010. 
Danielle
Steffey will also be a district officer and chapter officer next
year. Both students had the opportunity to participate in Phase I
of the FCCLA Ultimate State Officer Academy Leadership Training.
This four-part powerful leadership development and certification
program focuses on team building, service, professionalism,
planning, communication, networking, public policy and advocacy
training, and ethics. FCCLA state officers who complete all four
phases become certified FCCLA ultimate leaders.
