Twenty-two delegates from Meeker High School were present among the 1,000 members, advisers, alumni and guests of Colorado Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) gathered at the Denver Tech Marriott from April 7-9 for the 2011 State Leadership Conference.
The student-planned theme of the annual meeting was “fccla.pwr.now.” Throughout the three-day conference participants competed, discussed and examined several critical issues including increasing membership, physical and financial fitness, the importance of family and future career exploration.
A number of relevant youth issues involving stress control, cancer awareness, community service projects and life after high school were explored by keynote speaker Justin Lookadoo, through workshops and youth exhibits.
Some conference highlights included:
STAR Events (Students Taking Action with Recognition). Competitive events that build proficiency and achievement in leadership and job-related skills.
Spotlight on Projects in which representatives from across the state share their chapter’s successful projects.
Colorado’s 2010 Community Outreach Project raised thousands of dollars for the Children’s Miracle Network and dozens of items for the Children’s Hospital due to the donations from chapters across the state.
Of the 25 STAR events and two Colorado events, Meeker High School representatives managed to take home an amazing 12 gold and 10 bronze medals. We are very proud of the students who took gold, as there were about 1,000 students from around the state present at the conference. Each group had to beat from five to 20 other groups to receive the medals they did.
All 12 gold category medalists from Meeker High School will be attending the FCCLA National Leadership Conference, which will take place in Anaheim, Calif., from July 9-14. This is the largest number of kids attending nationals since 2006, when 13 students flew to Nashville, Tenn. Annie Cook, Kathryn Doll and Katie Morgan took first in Environmental Ambassadors and will compete at nationals. Sage Chapin, Elissa McLaughlin and Jordan Brown took second in Focus on Children and will also be competing at nationals. Aly Ridings, Piper Haney and Taylor Neilson took first in Chapter Showcase Manual, while Dannon Bolton and Shelby Burke took first in Chapter Service Display. Both teams will also be competing at the national level. Amanda Kendall, who received third in Teach and Train, will attend the National Leadership Conference as a “Spotlight on Projects” participant.
Although the National Leadership Conference will be hosted in California, the week won’t be all vacation. There will be youth EXPOs, college and career representatives, keynote speakers, Spotlight on Projects, STAR events as well as banquets and assemblies. Becky Ridings and Kim Kendall, the chaperones attending the national conference, have been working hard to get money together for this educational, though expensive, trip. As a fundraiser for those attending the FCCLA National Leadership Conference, the chapter will be hosting a yard sale on May 14, starting at 9 a.m. The sale will take place in the administration building’s gym. If you or your family or friends have any items that you no longer use, please bring them to the administration building from May 9-12. Any item donations, as well as money donations will go towards sending students to nationals, are welcome and much appreciated! Thank you in advance for helping to send these 12 accomplished students to the FCCLA National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, Calif.!
For more information on FCCLA, visit http://www.fccla.cccs.edu/.
By AMANDA KENDALL
