Left to Right Front 1: Adariana Samuelson, Gianna Baytion, Haley Subfield. Middle Row 2: Lizzie Chorley, Grace Engemann, Alaina Heaney, Alaina Powers. Back Row: Taylor Lauer, Josie Neill.
Students from Hermann High attended the 2024 Missouri Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) State Leadership Conference, March 17-19, 2024, at Margaritaville Lake Resort and Conference Center in Osage Beach. Almost 1,600 delegates from across the state represented more than 8,600 members of Missouri FCCLA.
4 State STAR Event Contestants, 2 Youth Contest Consultant Volunteers and 3 Hermann High FCCLA members attended the conference. Local chapter adviser Lana Koelling also served as an Adult Contest Consultant.
The conference centered on the student-developed theme “Missouri FCCLA: Out of this World” representing how Missouri FCCLA members are launching their leadership to new levels. The conference kicked off with the Opening General Session on Sunday evening where the 2023-2024 Missouri FCCLA State Executive Council presided. The keynote speaker was Dr. Laymon Hicks.
On Monday, almost 800 students participated in more than 30 competitive STAR Events – Students Taking Action with Recognition Events.
Hermann High Chapter Recognition:
🏆 1st Place Missouri Stand Up National Program Award
🏆 2nd Place Missouri Financial Fitness National Program Award
Individual Recognition:
🏅National Top 15 Digital Story for Change Level 2 with Drive Safe… Family Challenge by Josie Neill and Alaina Heaney (National Qualifier)
🥇1st Place Lizzie Chorley with National Programs in Action Level 3 - Money Management GOLD Rating (National Qualifier)
🥈 2nd Place Haley Sunfield with Focus on Children Level 3 - Youth in Pollination GOLD Rating (National Qualifier)
🥉3rd Place Adariana Samuelson with Professional Presentation Level 3 - Auditorium Upgrade GOLD Rating
🏅5th Place Taylor Lauer with Fashion Construction Level 2 GOLD Rating; 5 Unit Power of One Completer
Special thank you to Josie Neill and Alaina Powers for serving as contest volunteers. Students also were able to attend workshops on leadership development, community service, career preparation, and healthy living. Exhibits from Missouri colleges, universities, and vendors were also present at the conference. Student voting delegates including our own Taylor Lauer, elected the 2024-2025 Missouri FCCLA State Executive Council and raised over $4,000 for our state outreach project benefitting LOVEtheLOU.
FCCLA is unique among student organizations because projects and events--such as the State Leadership Conference--are planned and run by its student members. This prime focus of Missouri FCCLA, youth-centered leadership, helps members develop those "skills for life"—planning, goal setting, problem solving, decision-making, and interpersonal communication—necessary in the work place and in the home.