BREMEN, Ala. – On March 6-7, 11 Cold Springs High School students and their advisor Stephanie Blair attended the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) State Leadership Conference in Montgomery. Over 2,000 FCCLA students from the state of Alabama participated. The students heard guest speakers, attended breakout sessions and competed in the FCCLA STAR Events Competition.
The students and Blair have been working on the FCCLA STAR Events Competition since October. Cold Springs FCCLA students returned with five gold and four silver medals this year. Five students qualified to compete at the FCCLA National Conference in Orlando this summer. The top two highest scores from each category won a bid to attend Nationals.
The FCCLA students competed in individual and group projects. They had to prepare a portfolio or display board and create a 10- to 15-minute speech.
- Rebecca Baggett placed first in the Personal Finance, Level 3 Category
- Savannah Bischoff placed first in the Fashion Design, Level 3 Category
- Baylee Dye and Coco Fox placed first and overall gold in the Chapter Project Display, Level 2 Category
- Natalie Golden placed second in the Repurpose and Redesign, Level 2 Category
- Josiah Johnson placed third in the Fashion Construction, Level 3 Category
- Izzy Howell placed third in the Career Investigation, Level 2 Category
- Kayleigh Szedon placed third in the Leadership, Level 2 Category
- Maddie Davis placed Gold in the Repurpose and Redesign, Level 3 Category
- Lainey Gerstman judged the Food Invasions Category
- Mimzy Mavers was a runner for the Career Investigation, Level 3 Category
“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,” said a release from the school.
The Cold Springs FCCLA Chapter was recognized with the Golden STAR Award. Only eight other chapters were recognized as being a STAR Chapter. The club received a banner to be placed in the Family and Consumer Sciences classroom. 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.
First- and second-place winners can now attend Nationals in Orlando from July 4-10, to compete with other FCCLA members from across the United States. The trip will cost about $1,500 for each person. Anyone who would like to contribute to FCCLA should contact Stephanie Blair at Cold Springs High School. All donations are tax deductible.
