Kansas Youth “Make the Band” at FCCLA State Leadership Showcase

WCHS FCCLA Headed to Nashville!!!

Members of the Washington County High School Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America Chapter recently participated in the 2009 FCCLA State Leadership Showcase “Making the Band: SLS Edition” production held March 29-31, 2009 in Wichita, KS.  Attendees participated in individual or team competitions, as well as workshop and sessions that challenged members to get informed, and involved through the power of FCCLA. The FCCLA State Leadership Showcase meeting was attended by over 800 chapter members, advisors, and guests from throughout the state. 

The “Make the Band: SLS Edition” theme was reinforced by FCCLA members rocking it out to make FCCLA ….The “Bass” of Life by recognizing members and chapters for their participation in their families, careers, and communities over the past year.

Students competing in S.T.A.R. Events and their rankings are: 

Kaitie Turner-Teach and Train, Sr. Division—Top Gold Rating;

Kristin Pollen-Career Investigation, Sr. Division—Top Gold Rating;

Lauren Holtmeier and Samantha Good-Chapter Showcase Display, Sr. Division—Silver Rating;

Amanda Wilson and Bonnie Bailey-Interpersonal Communications, Sr. Division—Bronze rating.

Booke Stamm served as student judge and Mrs. Zabokrtsky as room consultant of the Chapter Showcase Manual and Chapter Service Project Manual, Jr. Division events.

After a long day of STAR Events, the delegates enjoyed the dance sponsored by the KS FCCLA Executive Council.  The business portion of the meeting took place on Tuesday at Century II Convention Center.  District D Executive Council members, Samantha Good and Lauren Holtmeier were installed, all STAR Event participants were announced, and workshops and speakers were enjoyed by all. 

WCHS is fortunate to have two students qualify for National FCCLA STAR Events competition to be held in Nashville, TN, July 12-16, 2009.  Kaitie Turner and Kristin Pollen both received top Golds in their respective events.  All participants spent MANY hours preparing their projects, displays or portfolios. 

Other students representing Washington County High school included:  Jacob Kongs, voting delegate; Caleb Wilson, voting delegate; Andrea Wilson, STAR Event timekeeper; Shannon DeVol, Natosha Lehman, Tyler Kongs, and Leigh DeVol, chaperone.

Members had the opportunity to listen to keynote speaker, Dr. Adolf Brown.  His inspirational leadership message included the philosophy that we are to be leaders to everyone.  Our families, co-workers, and community members all need us to be leaders and we should take those needing leadership in their lives and “put them in our wheelbarrow” to guide and encourage them to become leaders as well.  Students also had the opportunity to “rock it out’ by attending track sessions during the morning session.

FCCLA: the Ultimate Leadership Experience 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 more than 225,000 members and nearly 7,000 chapters from 50 state associations and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.   The organization has involved more that ten million youth since its founding in 1945.  Family, Career and Community Leaders of America is unique among youth organizations because its programs are planned and run by members.  It is the only in-school career and technical 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.