Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) members at Lambert recently returned from the State Leadership Conference (SLC), which lasted from March 25th through the 27th. This conference brought together members from all across the state who share interests in many different fields, such as teaching, food and nutrition and culinary arts. This event allowed students with similar passions to bond and make an impact throughout the conference through competitions and awards.
FCCLA is a national organization focused on supporting students interested in areas such as education, nutrition and culinary arts as well as other related career paths. They tend to focus on less popular fields, so students can explore everything available.
“Not everybody wants to be a doctor, not everybody wants to be in business, so it’s just adding more career fields and more career clusters to get to see and get to know,” FCCLA Advisor Mrs. Madison Barley said.
This specialization provides students with the opportunity to explore a wide variety of fields to find what most interests them. This can make a huge impact as students are able to gain knowledge about different areas in a safe space.
Additionally, because the club’s membership is on the smaller side, students are able to create a tight-knit community with peers and try for leadership roles with a better chance of getting the position they want. In this club, students with common interests can come together to express their creativity in a in an encouraging environment
One of the biggest events that aids in building connections is the annual State Leadership Conference which takes place in March. This conference is both rewarding and memorable as students get to connect with others and celebrate their accomplishments. It consists of multiple competitions, workshops and ceremonies.
A major part of the conference is competing against other schools through different competitive events, ranging from presentations to showing culinary skills. For example, one competition students can participate in is where they get to bake a pastry for judges. This is very different from other clubs, such as HOSA or DECA, because students get to have real-world experience making something to be judged. Additionally, these competitions allow students to gain crucial skills such as public speaking, receiving criticism and answering questions well. For example, senior Keira Price was a competitor in a presentation event at SLC and noticed improved public speaking skills and enhanced communication skills.
“I definitely noticed I was not as afraid to talk to people or do presentations in class, so it really did help me build my confidence and my public speaking,” senior Keira Prince explained.`
Other crucial skills that students can learn at this conference are the value of time management and dedication. Preparing for competitions requires months of planning, research and practice. This process teaches competitors responsibility and perseverance, which are qualities that can be helpful in all aspects of life, including managing schoolwork and extracurriculars. But most importantly, this event provides students with an opportunity to start thinking about their future. Many participants discover interests in new fields or strengthen the passion they already have. This can have a huge impact on future decisions and students’ lives.
Overall, SLC is an experience that builds connections with other students as well as lifelong skills. With new achievements and goals, Lambert FCCLA looks to continue representing the school and make an impact in the future.
