FCCLA Members Advance to Nationals
“Ignite Your Passion!” was the FCCLA 2014 State Leadership Conference theme in which 8 members from Plainview attended. And “ignite” they did as Trelynn Morrow and Paige Bearinger both qualified for the National STAR Competition in their respective events. Members attending from Plainview were Kirsten Cattell, Erika Neumann, Ashley Shaffer, Natalie Lingengelter, Caitii Ziegenbein, Trelynn Morrow, Paige Bearinger, and Autumn Ickler along with adviser Ronita Jacobsen and parent sponsor Laura Frahm.
Monday found State STAR Competitors Trelynn Morrow, Fashion Design, and Paige Bearinger, Interpersonal Communication, busy competing. During Tuesday’s awards ceremony it was announced they both received 2nd place in their events and would be eligible to attend the National STAR Competition in San Antonio, Texas in July. Paige Bearinger also spent the day running for the Student Body State Peer Education Team. As a finalist she was required to take a written test over the Student Body Team, present a 3-minute speech on a Student Body topic, and participate in a 15-minute interview.”
Monday also found Erika Neumann, Kirsten Cattell, Natalie Lingenfelter, Ashley Shaeffer, Caiti Ziebenbein taking the FCS/FCCLA Knowledge Bowl Test. The following day they competed in the buzzer round with Autumn Ickler and Trelynn Morrown substituting in. They were also able to attend the Opportunity Fair on Monday visiting with college representatives and non-profit organization. While there, they were able to make a smoother by pedaling a bicycle…which turned out to be more work than anticipated!
Ashley Shaffer, Student Body State Peer Education Officer, was busy throughout the conference and during the closing ceremony assisted with the installation of the 2014-2015 State Peer Education Officers.
Kirsten Cattell, Erika Neumann, Kaelee VanEvery, and Trelynn Morrow presented their Power of One Display and were recognized and received Power of One pins and certificates for completing all 5 Power of One Units. They will receive additional chapter recognition at the FCCLA Plainview Family Night Awards Reception held on May 2 and at National Convention in July.
Ashley Shaffer represented the chapter as Voting Delegate as she is currently the chapter president and will retain this position next year. Her responsibilities included attending the Voting Delegate Session, hearing State Officer Candidate speeches, and watching the candidates complete a “Fishbowl Activity” followed by casting the chapter’s ballots. As Ashley was busy with her role as a State Peer Education Officer, Kirsten Cattel represented the chapter in the President’s Parade onstage during Opening General Session Monday night.
During the Tuesday closing session, the Plainview Chapter was awarded the Chapter Award-Gold Star Plaque, highest rating for chapters. The award reflects FCCLA members’ Program of Work for the 2013-2014. Members are to set realistic goals for themselves and conduct a balanced chapter program of work that is related to the family and consumer sciences program. The chapter had 15 specifics tasks they needed to complete and document in the following areas: Membership, Leadership, Programs, Promoting FCCLA, and Competitions. At the conference, Jacobsen was also recognized with the ACE (Adviser Committed to Excellence) Award.
Paige Bearinger, 2014-2015 District Officer, attended the District Officer Leadership Session where she was informed of her duties as a district officer and collaborated with others on ideas for District Leadership Conference Speakers. She will run for her specific district office at the District 8 Officer Meeting, which will be held in Battle Creek at 4:00 on May 14th.
Grant Baldwin, leading expert at helping students prepare for life after high school, was the Keynote Speaker and Presenter throughout the conference. He is the author of the book and curriculum “Reality Check”. This curriculum is used in the Life and Career Readiness/Personal Finance classes taught within the FCS Department. Another highlight presentation at the conference included Revolution, a grant-funded group of high school students who strive to inform teens about the dangers of dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking through their dynamic presentations. These students travel all over the state in order to empower youth to make safe choices and to help their friends who might be at risk. Members also attended a session on “Behavioral Health Professions” which they found very informational.