Pictured left to right: Matt Smith, Kayla Owens, Lidiya Rantsevich, Ms. Brenda Rogers, Jenna Brock, Jessica May, Kaylee Howard, Logan Parris, and Emily Brown. (Not available at time of photo: Rebecca Barnette)

More than 6,800 nationwide members, advisers, alumni, and guests of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), gathered in Orlando, Florida, July 8-12 for the 2012 National Leadership Conference. Nine local students from Chapman High School were among them.

            This year’s student-originated theme for the annual national meeting was “#realitycheck.” Throughout the five-day convention, participants examined and discussed several critical issues, including family, school and community violence prevention, physical as well as financial fitness, future career exploration and countless community service projects.

Over 3,600 students across the nation competed in STAR Events (Students Taking Action with Recognition) which are competitive events that build proficiency and achievement in leadership and job-related skills.  Chapman High School had eight students compete.  Jenna Brock and Jessica May both received gold medals for their individual projects in the Recycle and Redesign event, while Lidiya Ranstevich also received a gold medal for her project.  Emily Brown, Kaylee Howard, Kayla Owens, and Logan Parris each received a silver medal rating in their STAR Events.  Matt Smith also competed in STAR Events at the conference and earned a bronze medal.

Brenda Rogers, adviser for Chapman FCCLA, assisted with STAR Events by serving as an evaluator.  Donnie Rogers and Candy Brock also volunteered with STAR Events for the national competition representing Chapman High School.  Chapman graduate, Trent Brock, Class of 2010, is serving as the State Adviser for South Carolina FCCLA.  Brock said that he was “impressed with the participation by the Chapman delegation.  Out of the 16 gold medals the state received, Chapman received three”.

            These nine Chapman students will continue to work with other FCCLA members and advisers in South Carolina to encourage others to discover their strengths, motivate members to target career goals, and initiate a plan to ignite youth leadership in the community.  Rebekah Barnett and Jenna Brock are currently serving as members of the 2012-2013 South Carolina FCCLA State Executive Council and will work closely with the state association this year as well.

            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.