Cherokee FCCLA Students Attend NLC

 

Anaheim, CA, July 2019 – 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.

 

This year’s conference theme encouraged participants to “Believe in Yourself” through competing in Competitive Events, running for office, partaking in Leadership Academy, and continuing to make a positive impact within their families, communities, and careers. Attendees also had the opportunity to engage with Red Talks, attend the Ford Driving Skills for Life event, learn about potential career and college opportunities at the EXPO, and interact with leaders from across the nation.

 

“It is always inspiring to watch so many young leaders come together and realize their full potential through competition, career training, and leadership workshops,” said Sandy Spavone, Executive Director of FCCLA. “This National Leadership Conference was a great success thanks to the National Board of Directors, National Staff, National Executive Council and their advisers, as well as the students, advisers, and organization’s supporters.”

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, region, and state level. Ruston James competed in Say Yes to FCS, Senior Division at FCCLA’s National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, California and received a gold medal in the event. He finished with a ranking of fourth in the nation. Blake Failes and Drake Williams competed in Entrepreneurship, Senior Division and received a silver medal in the event. Taryn Miller served as a Youth Evaluator for STAR Events and Taylor Miller, Cherokee FCCLA Alumni and fashion merchandising major at Oklahoma State, served as a STAR Event Evaluator. 

 

Kyla Colvin, Dakota Dooley, and Kaitlyn Miller finished as the National Champions in the FCCLA/Knowledge Matters Virtual Business Challenge. Chandler Colvin and Lake Lyon finished as the National Runner-Up Team in the VBC Challenge. The FCCLA Virtual Business Challenge-Personal Finance contest encourages FCCLA members to test their skills in personal finance. This competition is a free event for affiliated FCCLA members. Participating members utilize a competition version of the Virtual Business – Personal Finance classroom software.

 

Bridget Wilhite served as one of Oklahoma’s seven National Voting Delegates. In her role as a voting delegate, Bridget helped elect the new National Executive Council and voted during the business session on a proposed bylaws amendment.

 

Next year FCCLA will host its 75th National Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., July 5-9. To learn more about how you can get involved as a student, sponsor, or supporter, contact Heather Gottsch at Cherokee High School.

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