Cherokee FCCLA concludes successful year
May 17, 2017
The month of April proved to be very rewarding for members of the Cherokee Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) chapter.
Eight members traveled to Oklahoma City and Stillwater to compete in the State STAR Events. STAR Events – Students Taking Action with Recognition – are competitive events in which members are recognized for proficiency and achievement in chapter and individual projects, leadership skills and career preparation.
The students who competed, and their events, were: Taryn Miller, Food Innovations Junior Division; Taylor Miller, Recycle and Redesign Senior Division; Madison Wheeler, Children’s Literature 6-8 Grade Division; Joslyn Clem, Children’s Literature 9-10 Grade Division; Angel Hernandez, Creed Speaking and Interpretation 9-10 Grade Division; Laynie Golden, New Member Facts 6-8 Division; Kimberly Vo, Work Readiness Job Interview 9-10 Grade Division; and Bridget Wilhite, Career Investigation Junior Division.
Statewide over 2,000 FCCLA members competed in STAR Events beginning with districts in the fall, regionals in early winter, and concluding with state competition the first week of April.
Twenty Cherokee FCCLA members joined approximately 7,000 other Oklahoma FCCLA members at the Oklahoma FCCLA State Convention on April 6-7. This year’s theme was “Boundless.”
During the opening session, members had the opportunity to hear an inspirational message from keynote speaker Heather Schultz. Also during the opening session, Heather Gottsch, Cherokee FCCLA adviser, received the Wanda S. Holman Memorial Adviser Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded to a current Oklahoma FCCLA adviser who exhibits outstanding leadership and community service involvement.
During a special recognition session, STAR Event competitors received their placings and medals from the competition held previously. Cherokee’s winners are state champions Joslyn Clem, Kimberly Vo and Bridget Wilhite; second place winner Laynie Golden; third place winner Madison Wheeler; and fourth place winners Angel Hernandez and Taylor Miller. Wilhite's event moves on to the competition at the national level at the National Leadership Conference, which will take place July 1-7 in Nashville, Tennessee.
While at state convention, Cherokee FCCLA was one of seven chapters statewide to be recognized for 75 percent FACS Class participation in FCCLA. They were also awarded the highest honor available to Oklahoma FCCLA chapters: Gold Star Chapter. Star chapter awards are based on a point system that is tallied throughout the year and are designed to recognize those chapters who exceed minimum expectations and go the extra mile for their members.
After a day full of exciting speakers and award recognition, members concluded their convention with a trip to Frontier City for the annual FCCLA Fun Night.
Cherokee FCCLA was also chosen for a Bronze Award from National FCCLA for their membership recruitment. Bronze Awards are given to FCCLA chapters who increased their affiliation by 10-14 members for the 2016-2017 school year.
Morgan Clem concluded her year of service as the Oklahoma FCCLA North-1 District first vice-president of community service.
On April 12, Joslyn Clem and Taylor Miller traveled to Perkins High School to participate in district officer interviews. After a slate of candidates was chosen, the 21 FCCLA chapters in the North-1 District voted to choose officers. Joslyn Clem was elected as the N-1 District president for 2017-2018 and Taylor Miller was elected as the N-1 vice-president of public relations.
This year members began a new, exciting service project. In October, the FCCLA Chief Pantry was started. Students in grades 6-12 have access to the pantry at any time for basic hygienic needs. In addition, on Friday of each week 18 bags of non-perishable food items are distributed to students who are food insecure. The pantry was stocked and funded entirely by donations from the Cherokee community. FCCLA also received a generous donation from ESA and applied for and received an Operation Round-Up Grant. This service project will be continued in 2017-2018.
Eleven members of the Cherokee FCCLA chapter will travel to the National Leadership Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, in July. While there, six members will compete in the Virtual Business Personal Finance Challenge and evaluate or compete in STAR Events. The members attending will gain valuable knowledge and experience to help lead the chapter to another successful year in 2017-2018.
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