More than 7,000 Family, Career and Community Leaders of America members, advisers, alumni and guests from across the country gathered recently in San Antonio for the 2014 National Leadership Conference. The conference is based on the student-originated theme “SOAR.” White Hall High School students Corin Reed and Candace Casey along with their advisers Mika Bishop and Sheri Deaton, were among them.
FCCLA offers 33 STAR (Students Taking Action with Recognition) Events. These events, which include early childhood education, job interview and sports nutrition, among others, represent college and career readiness skills taught in family and consumer sciences classes. Members compete at the district, state and national level.
This year, Candace Casey and Corin Reed were among more than 4,200 STAR Event participants who competed. This is the largest number of competitors at any National STAR Events competition.
Corin Reed, 2014 White Hall graduate, competed in the Teach and Train Event. Her project focused on using the skills she learned in her orientation to teaching class by developing an appropriate lesson. Corin received a gold medal in this event.
Candace Casey, a junior at White Hall High, competed in the Environmental Ambassador Event. Her project focused on using the knowledge she gained in family and consumer science class as she educated her audience on the importance of using sunscreen to prevent skin cancer. Candace earned a silver medal in her event.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“My week spent in San Antonio for the FCCLA National Leadership Conference was one of the busiest and crazies weeks of my life,” Candace said. “It was also one of the greatest learning experiences I could ever ask for.”
Reed said, “After spending a week with people who have the same passion as me, I found myself. This was the best way to end my FCCLA career. I will truly miss ever second of this amazing organization and everything it stands for.”
Mika Bishop and Sheri Deaton will both continue to work with other FCCLA members and advisers in Arkansas to encourage others to discover their strengths, motivate members to target career goals and initiate a plan to ignite youth leadership in the community. Throughout the year, FCCLA members tackle issues such as teen violence prevention, traffic safety, family issues, career exploration and more.