FCCLA Members Attend State
Launch the media gallery 1 playerBy Elizabeth Harris
Twelve FCCLA members, along with their advisor and one chaperone, headed to Lincoln to attend the the Nebraska State Leadership conference that was held Sunday, April 2, through Tuesday, April 4. Members attending included Mason Sindelar, Caitlyn Crist, Shianna Oestreich, Alexis Schnoor, Krystina Schuett, Elizabeth Harris, Breane Hoffman, Stephanie Rinkel, Emily Simmons, Sydney Erickson, Sydney Slater, and Emilia Goetsch. Members attended to compete in STAR events, to learn about FCCLA as a new chapter officer, to receive awards for Power of One projects, to perform their duties as conference assistants, to run for a state office, to attend workshops and sessions, and to participate in community service.
Events attended on Sunday included the opening general session. At the opening session, the members were talked to by this year’s keynote speaker, Johan Khalilian. He shared his experiences with directing movies, considering that he was a movie director from L.A. He talked about goals, big ones and small ones. His overall question to those in attendance was, “What type of person do you want to be?”
Three Pierce members competed in the state STAR competition (STAR stands for “students taking action for recognition”). Caitlyn Crist competed in the Sr. Career Investigation event. She received a silver medal for her presentation about her career portfolio. Emily Simmons competed in the Sr. Illustrated Talk category. She received a Gold medal for her speech on the use of social media. Mason Sindelar competed in the Nebraska STAR Consumer Issues event. He received runner-up gold for his speech on flag etiquette.
Members also attended an opportunity fair and were able to visit with 10 different college representatives. Representatives from service organizations were available so chapter members could learn about service projects as campaigns that are beneficial to their communities. One project Pierce members learned about was called Jana’s Campaign. This campaign is dedicated to helping middle and high schools reduce gender and relationship violence by promoting healthy relationship behaviors.
Three senior members, Breane Hoffman, Krystina Schuett, and Shianna Oestreich, fulfilled many duties as conference assistants for the Nebraska State Director who was in charge of the conference. They helped run many of the activities during the conference.
Members also had the opportunity to give back to the community by volunteering for the “FCCLA Serves, I Serve” projects. Pierce members volunteered at the People’s City Mission where they sorted clothing, shoes and toys that are donated by the public. The Pierce members who volunteered were Elizabeth Harris, Stephanie Rinkel, Emilia Goetsch and Alexis Schnoor.
Mason Sindelar and Sydney Erickson attended a district officer meeting, where they helped to plan the District 8 Leadership Conference to be held this coming October. Several other members attended sessions and workshops. Stephanie Rinkel represented the Pierce chapter at the MADD Youth Ambassador Training where she learned how to become an ambassador to help teach teens about the hazards of drunk driving.
The Business and Recognition Session was held the evening of April 3. Several Pierce members were recognized for completing all five modules of Power of One. Those members included Stephanie Rinkel and Sydney Erickson. Mrs. Timm, Pierce FCCLA advisor, received the Advisor Committed to Excellence award.
Pierce member Sydney Erickson ran for a position on the Career Leader State Peer Officer Team. Due to her efforts, Erickson was pronounced the Career Leader Chairperson and the overall SPOT team coordinator. She will serve as a state officer until the April 2018 State Conference.
The Pierce chapter representatives had a very busy and productive time at the conference. They were able to have some fun as well by attending the conference sponsored dance or movie at the Grand Theatre.
