FCCLA Members Return from Nationals
By Leslie Abbott
July 19, 2010
6,100 TEENS FROM ACROSS THE NATION GATHER IN CHICAGO TO CELEBRATE 65 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP
Chicago, IL. – More than 6,100 Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) members, advisers, alumni, and guests from across the country gathered in Chicago, Illinois, July 4-8 for FCCLA’s 2010 National Leadership Conference. Nine FCCLA members from Jefferson West Middle School, and 4 FCCLA members from Jefferson West High School attended the conference with their adviser Leslie Abbott. The conference marks a milestone birthday for FCCLA as students celebrated “65 Years of Leadership”, commencing with a July 4th, themed birthday celebration, at Navy Pier. Participants attended workshops over the new STAR Events for 2010-2011, technology, issues and challenges facing youth today, and working towards gaining the life skills needed to meet those challenges.
The National Outreach Project was for the Children’s Miracle Network. Chapters across the nation worked to raise funds for children’s hospitals and foundations throughout the United States. JWHS FCCLA joined this campaign lead by Misty Edwards and Savanna Bradley, who held a Pancake Feed and Walk-A-Thon raising $505.00 towards the project. At the National Leadership Meeting it was announced that FCCLA chapters in the nation came together to raise $241,590.00. FCCLA has chosen to continue their partnership with the CMN for next year as their National Outreach Project for 2010-2011.
District E-West President Danielle Steffey, a senior from JWHS attended officer training workshops to prepare for her responsibilities for next year as she leads the 11 schools in District E-West with Madison Fangman (V.P. of Membership) and Kailee Gibson (V.P. of Finance) also from JWHS. Kaitlyn Fangman former District E-West President (JWHS) was also in attendance during the convention as a student evaluator along with Danielle Steffey for the Students Taking Action with Recognition (STAR) Events and to present as a team at the Spotlight On Projects Exhibit with their Chapter Showcase Manual which received a gold at State STAR Events. (Danielle-left, Kaitlyn-right)
Over 3,200 students took part in FCCLA’s competitive STAR events which provides several opportunities for students to gain recognition for their individual, team, and chapter activities. The JWHS FCCLA team of Savanna Bradley and Misty Edwards received a silver medal in Chapter Service Project Display Senior for their project titled, “Let’s Make A Miracle Happen”. (Savanna and Misty in photo to right)
The JWMS FCCLA team of Emalee McClurg, Alex Thornburgh, and Taryn Murray took the top Gold for their project, “Healthy Snack Attack”, in the Applied Technology category. These students were able to get the USD 340 Board of Education to approve that all USD 340 concession stands are recommended to have a healthy option available. (Emalee, Alex, and Tarynn in photo)
JWMS FCCLA students Kailee Gibson, Bailey Steffey, and Madison Fangman received a top gold for their project titled “Painting The Future One Rainbow At A Time” in the Chapter Service Project Display Junior category. Their project focused on fund-raising over $1500.00 for the D’man Hero foundation which financially assists families in northeast Kansas who have children receiving cancer treatments. (Kailee, Bailey, and Madison in photo)
The JWMS FCCLA team of Morgan Boldridge, Sarah Allison, and Wynne Taylor received the top gold medal in the Focus On Children Junior category for their project titled, “Fireproof Your Family”. These students worked with elementary students to learn skills to keep their families safe if faced with a fire in their home. (Morgan, Sarah, and Wynne in photo below)
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 200,000 members and over 6,500 chapters from 50 state associations, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The organization has involved more than ten million youth since its founding in 1945.
FCCLA: The Ultimate Leadership Experience is unique among youth organizations because its programs are planned and run by members. It is the only career and technical in-school student organization with the family as its central focus. Participation in national programs and chapter activities helps members become strong leaders in their families, careers, and communities. Students interested in joining FCCLA should contact Leslie Abbott adviser of both JWMS and JWHS chapters.
Photos and Article Submitted by Leslie A. Abbott
