BREMEN, Ala. – March 8-10, 2023, eight students and their adviser from Cold Springs High School competed at the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) State Leadership Meeting in Montgomery. Over 1,000 FCCLA students from all over the state met and competed. Students listened to a guest speaker, attended breakout sessions and competed in the FCCLA STAR Events Competition.
The students and their advisor Stephanie Blair have been working on the FCCLA STAR Events Competition for several months. This year Cold Springs FCCLA students returned with four first-place medals, one second-place medal, two third-place medals and one bronze medal. Five students qualified to compete at nationals in Denver, Colorado, this summer. The two highest scores from each category won a bid to compete in nationals.
The FCCLA students competed in individual and group projects.
- Ellanora Slusser placed first in the Fashion Design category, level 3 (11th and 12th grade) and received a $5,000 scholarship to the Fashion Institute of America.
- Savannah Bischoff placed second in the Fashion Design category, level 2 (Ninth and 10th grade).
- Lacy and Lydia Twilley placed first in the Chapter Project Display category, level 3.
- Sophia Slusser placed first in the Chapter Project Display category, level 2.
- Clayton Gary placed third in the Career Investigation category, level 3.
- Rebecca Baggett placed third in the Career Investigation category, level 2.
- Josiah Johnson won a bronze medal in the Repurpose and Redesign category, level 2.
These students put in a lot of hard work and determination, and they were able to bring home medals but so much more. They also brought home leadership, teamwork, critical thinking skills, networking, public speaking skills and more.
The Cold Springs chapter was recognized with the Golden STAR Award. This is recognition for chapters that develop and implement well-rounded programs of work. Chapters with well-rounded programs of work supporting Alabama and National FCCLA strategic plans have programming membership, chapter activities and operations, community services, state and national activities, leadership development and promotion/public relations.
Blair was awarded the 2022-2023 Adviser Mentor Award. The Adviser Mentor Award recognizes advisers who have successfully achieved Master Adviser Recognition, devoting two years to new adviser assistance, assuming adult leadership roles in FCCLA, attending training workshops and using national and state FCCLA resources.
Lydia Twilley sang the national anthem at the grand opening of the conference. The students participated in the FCCLA Banner Parade, representing the CSHS FCCLA chapter. They also donated items to the Big Oak Ranch.
