Youth from the Culpeper County High School, Culpeper County Middle School, Culpeper Technical Education Center, and Eastern View High School chapters of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) recently participated in a weekend leadership training conference held April 12-14, 2024 in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Attendees participated in a weekend of workshops and sessions that challenged, informed, and motivated members and their advisers to learn more about leadership through FCCLA. Along with nearly 1,000 other advisers and members, Culpeper County Public Schools FCCLA chapter advisers, Laura Butcher, Jay Cohen, Lisa Frazier, Taylor Jamison, Vickie McBride, Jennifer Mullen, Leigh Powell, and Corinn Seely accompanied 29 members to the meeting. We were also fortunate to have Chad McKnight with the Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office accompany our group to provide additional security throughout the weekend for both CCPS students and Virginia FCCLA members from across the state.
To begin the conference, nearly 650 members participated in STAR Events, a series of competitive events that demonstrate proficiency and achievement in leadership and job-related skills. There are 33 events in 96 categories of STAR Events for members to compete in as a team or as an individual.
Culpeper County High School students participated in two star events at the state leadership conference. Alyssa Harding participated in Job Interview Level 2 received silver and first place. She will be advancing to the National competition. Olivia Fant, Deja Richards, Amiyah Williams, Isabella Myers, Elizabeth Massie, and Claire Powell participated in Parliamentary Procedures Level 3 and received 3rd place, each earning a $500 scholarship.
Culpeper Middle School sent 12 students to the FCCLA SRLC. 8th-grade students Atleigh Barber, Nadia Kratly, and Sydney Smith competed in Focus on Children and earned first place and a silver medal. Mady Say, an 8th-grade student, earned second place and a silver medal for her Career Investigation entry. Emma Powell and Madison McCall earned first place and a gold medal for their Promote and Publicize FCCLA entry. Food Innovations participants Finn Ploeger and Levi Haught took first place and earned a gold medal for their efforts. 6th-grade student Peyton Stephens won second place and earned a silver medal in Teach or Train. Chloe Bowling, Chloe Hunchuck, and Leah Smith earned a silver medal for entering the Entrepreneurship category. The chapter was recognized as an Outstanding Chapter, a “Millionaire Chapter” for an increase in membership, and earned recognition for completing seven National Programs.
This was Adviser Leigh Powell’s second year sending students to the SLRC and Corinn Seely’s first year as an Adviser.
Culpeper Technical Education Center (CTEC) students, Jheneya Cotton and Madison Anderson competed in Culinary Arts Exhibit - Show Pieces and both did a great job. With the way scoring is done, Madison received a Silver medal and Jheneya received a Gold medal and placed 2nd overall and a scholarship of $6000 to be used at Sullivan University. This was both student’s first ever competition and not only did they both do well, they had a great time in Virginia Beach getting to know each other and the students from the other schools from CCPS. Jheneya is a senior who has been a Culinary Lab Aid this year and has the opportunity to experience much of the culinary field. Madison is a junior this year and will be taking Culinary II next year where she will have the opportunity to compete again next year. We are both excited for her second attempt to compete. Chef Jay Cohen was honored to be recognized and elevated to Master Advisor.
Eastern View High School’s student members participated in the following Level 3 STAR Events: Entrepreneurship – Anayah Quinn, Gold Medal, 1st place; Early Childhood Education – Emily Major, Silver Medal; Interpersonal Communication – Nataly Arita Perez, Charlotte Dingle, Isabella Guzman, Bronze Medal, 2nd place; Job Interview – Bethany Jenkins, Silver Medal; Professional Presentation – Rylie Coleman, Hannah Mullins, Gold Medal, 2nd place. Those earning 1st or 2nd place will advance to compete at the National Leadership Conference this summer. Throughout the weekend, Eastern View High School FCCLA was recognized for completing all seven National Programs, earned the Largest Chapter in the State Award, and was presented as a Gold Level Outstanding Chapter, based on the chapter’s activities and involvement throughout the school year. Adviser Laura Butcher was presented with the “Spirit of Advising” Award. This achievement is given to one adviser annually and selected by Virginia FCCLA State Staff.
The theme, “FCCLA: The Ultimate Journey”, was reinforced by Friday’s Opening General Session, where meeting attendees geared up for a variety of leadership training opportunities. The motivational speaker for this conference was Terrence Talley. His message engaged and entertained members while teaching them important life lessons, and gave them ways to succeed in life both in and out of school. The Saturday morning Business Session allowed members to vote on issues relevant to the organization, including the election of state officers for the 2024-2025 school year. Members then participated in a series of workshops that focused on career exploration, leadership, and implementing effective service projects in their schools and communities. The Banquet and Evening Session, entitled “Starstruck”, gave members a chance to recognize individuals who support the organization.
Sunday’s Closing General Session included the awarding of STAR Events competition medals, trophies, and scholarships as well as the installation of new state officers. The top winners in each of the national STAR Events competitions will have an opportunity to compete in Seattle, Washington at the National Leadership Conference, June 29-July 3, 2024, against top winners from other state associations.
FCCLA is a dynamic and effective national student organization that helps middle and high school students become leaders and address important family, career, and community issues through Family and Consumer Sciences education. The organization has more than 237,000 members across the country. Since the organization’s founding in 1945, FCCLA has involved more than 10 million youth.
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 national in-school 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.