LINCOLN – Several area students participated in FCCLA National Leadership Conference.
According to a release from the Nebraska Department of Education, Nebraska members proudly represented their schools, communities, and state association at the highly anticipated FCCLA National Leadership Conference (NLC) held at the Colorado Convention Center July 2-6 in Denver. This annual event brought together nearly 8,000 passionate Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) student members, advisers, and guests, including nearly 300 participants from Nebraska.
The conference provided FCCLA members with a wealth of incredible opportunities, including attending inspiring speaker sessions, engaging in youth workshops, competing at the national level, and networking with fellow youth leaders. Centered around the theme “incREDible,” this conference highlighted how FCCLA offers incredible prospects to its members and advisers through Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) education. By exploring career opportunities and instilling real-world skills, advocacy, and service, FCCLA empowers its members to make an incREDible impact that will guide them throughout their lives.
Leonardo Luna-Duran, a senior at Neligh-Oakdale Jr/Sr High School, represented Nebraska as one of 24 National Officer Candidates vying for a position on the 2023-2024 National Executive Council. He was elected to serve on the FCCLA National Executive Council as the 2023-2024 National Vice-President of Finance; in this position, he will also begin serving a two-year term on the National FCCLA Board of Directors. As a National Officer, Leonardo will join the rest of the National Executive Council at the FCCLA National Headquarters in Herndon, Virginia, in August for a planning meeting to prepare for the year.
Jonelle Thoene, a Family and Consumer Sciences teacher at Crofton Community Schools and 2022-23 Nebraska FCCLA Board of Directors Chair, received the 2023 Spirit of Advising Award and was recognized as a Master Adviser. This is an honor bestowed on only one FCCLA Chapter Adviser from each state. This award is based upon the ability to recognize chapter advisers who are constantly faithful and often quietly working behind the scenes to ensure the success of their students.
ViviAnne Sayer, Schuyler Central, and Emma Sohler, Laurel-Concord-Coleridge, were selected to the jury round of the NLC Fashion Show, where they showcased their original designs to a panel of industry professionals.
Annually, Ford Driving Skills for Life and the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) select 25 state-level FACTS (Families Acting for Community Traffic Safety) National Program project winners. For the third year in a row, Howells-Dodge was selected as the Nebraska award winner and was the recipient of a $500 cash award. The chapter partnered with Teens in the Driver Seat to complete their “We’re Buckling Up” project, which included a seatbelt check at their school and a FACTS Day to educate high school students about safe driving.
The National Say Yes to FCS Signing Event was held during the Closing General Session on Thursday, July 6. This event recognized 26 graduating high school seniors from across the country who have committed to a future career within one of the four FCCLA Career Pathways: Education & Training, Hospitality & Tourism, Human Services, and Visual Arts & Design. Marissa Bruce, a 2023 graduate of Bloomfield High School, participated in the signing event, along with mentor Lee Ann Runyon, as she committed to studying Family and Consumer Sciences Education at Wayne State College this fall.
Of the 4,300 competitors in STAR events, Nebraska had 188 participants who came home with 70 Gold medals, 111 Silver medals, and 7 Bronze medals. Area winners include:
First Place
- Carli Hamilton, Battle Creek – Hospitality, Tourism, & Recreation, Level 2, Gold
- Izabel Hollatz & Baylee Settje, Leigh – Promote and Publicize FCCLA, Level 2, Gold
Second Place
- Breanna Borchers, Battle Creek – Chapter in Review Portfolio, Level 3, Gold
- Avery Herman & Brooklyn Mattison, Wayne – Chapter Service Project Portfolio, Level 3, Gold
Third Place
- Elizabeth Miller & Noelle See, Neligh-Oakdale – Chapter in Review Portfolio,
Level 1, Silver - Emma Wubben, Hartington-Newcastle – Leadership, Level 3, Gold
- Josslyn Hoefer, Neligh-Oakdale – Sports Nutrition, Level 1, Gold
Fourth Place
- Tori Nelson & Kaydence Salmon, Battle Creek – Chapter in Review Portfolio,
Level 2, Gold - Kysa Loecker & Dalee Sazama, Bloomfield – Repurpose and Redesign, Level 1, Gold
Fifth Place
- Shayla Jacobsen, Plainview – Job Interview, Level 2, Gold
- Marisa Malander, Boone Central – Leadership, Level 3, Gold
Sixth Place
- ViviAnne Sayer, Schuyler Central – Fashion Construction, Level 3, Gold
Seventh Place
- Olivia Walter, Crofton – Instructional Video Design, Level 1, Silver
- Sidnee Hollum, Battle Creek – Teach or Train, Level 2, Gold
Eighth Place
- Haylee Raygoza, Neligh-Oakdale – Chapter in Review Display, Level 1, Silver
- Mazie Beister, Audra Groth, Briana Johnson, Cassidy Maricle, Melany Preister, & Natalie Schrad, Boone Central – Parliamentary Procedure, Level 3, Silver
Tenth Place
- Kassidy Biester, Miranda McGill, Myah Rankin, Madison Reilly, Mishayla Slaymaker, & Taryn Stephens, Boone Central – Parliamentary Procedure, Level 2, Silver
