BREMEN, Ala. – From March 7-8, 2024, 10 students and their adviser from Cold Springs High School attended the FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) State Leadership Conference in Montgomery. More than 1,200 FCCLA students from all over the state met and more than 755 students competed. The students heard guest speakers, attended breakout sessions and compete in the FCCLA STAR Events Competition.
The CSHS students and advisor, Stephanie Blair, have been working on the FCCLA STAR Events Competition for months. This year Cold Springs FCCLA students returned with all gold medals. Five students qualified to compete at the FCCLA National Conference in Seattle this summer. The top two highest scores from each category won a bid to attend nationals to compete.
The FCCLA students competed in individual and group projects. The students had to prepare a portfolio or display board and create a 10-15-minute speech. These students will be able to compete at the FCCLA National Conference.
- Sophia Slusser and Baylee Perdue placed first and won overall gold in the Chapter Project Portfolio Level 2 category.
- Baylee Dye and Coco Fox placed first and won overall gold in the Chapter Project Display Level 2 category.
- Josiah Johnson placed first and won overall gold in the Sustainability Challenge Level 3 category.
Additionally,
- Savannah Bischoff won gold in the Fashion Design Level 3 category.
- Ellanora Slusser won gold in the Leadership Level 3 category.
- Rebecca Baggett won gold in the Chapter Project Display Level 3 category.
- Aiden Freem won gold in the Career Investigation Level 2 category.
- Clayton Gary won gold in the Career Investigation Level 3 category.
These students put in a lot of hard work, and they brought home medals, but so much more. They also brought home leadership, teamwork, critical thinking skills, networking experience, public speaking skills and more.
Ellanora Slusser was recognized for Power of One completion. Power of One is a goal-setting program that has five units that must be completed before receiving recognition. Students who complete Power of One receive state and national recognition.
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, and complete chapter activities and operations, community service, state and national activities, leadership development and promotion/public relations.
First- and second-place winners will attend Nationals in Seattle June 28-July 4 to compete with other FCCLA members from across the United States. The trip will cost about $1,500 for each person.
Those who wish to contribute to FCCLA can contact Stephanie Blair at Cold Springs High School.
