FCCLA Attends Fall Leadership Workshop
Members of the local Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) chapter traveled to Wayne State College on Monday, September 15th to participate in the organization's Fall Leadership Conference. The day-long event brought together FCCLA students and advisers from across Nebraska for professional development and leadership training. Plainview FCCLA members attending were Kaydance Maertins, Landon Hergert, Dakotah Albin, Jaden May, Scarlet Torrey, Tiegan Stewart, Alina Hilpipre, Elena Camacho, Chloe Mullins, Payton Johansen, and Adviser Ronita Jacobsen.
The conference began with an opening session featuring speakers Suhani Chaudhari, Mollie Corkle, Samantha Fehrer, and Mayte Flores Garcia. Members participated in icebreakers to get them moving, engage, and meeting members from chapters across the state. Chapters showcased projects from the past year and explained which STAR events and how to use them to earn awards at state and nationals. Students then had the opportunity to choose from multiple breakout sessions designed to enhance their leadership skills and FCCLA knowledge. Popular student sessions included "Ready, Set, Lead!" - A hands-on workshop focused on developing leadership abilities.
Dakotah Albin stated that this was favorite session because it made her think of how she can lead better. "Planning with Purpose" - Teaching students how to create meaningful project goals was a favorite of Landon Hergert’s because they explained the STAR Projects since he’s going to do one this year. Kaydance Maertins said, "Hidden Gems: Competitive Events You Don't Want to Miss" - Exploring lesser-known FCCLA competitions, was my favorite as I learned about the sustainability challenge and discovered all the less popular STAR projects.
Other sessions included "Fuel Your Future with Power of One" - Focusing on individual leadership development which excited several into starting their Power of One projects right away. "Advocacy: Shaping Tomorrow Today" - Learning how to make a difference in communities session also motivated students into discussion on what they can be doing.
Chapter adviser Mrs. Jacobsen attended specialized sessions designed for FCCLA educators, including "Flourish in FCCLA: Adviser Information & Updates for 2025-26" and "Finding Purpose: Adviser Networking & Collaboration." These sessions provided valuable resources for supporting student members and strengthening chapter programs.
The conference also featured community partnership opportunities, including a "Farm to School: FCCLA Opportunities" session and "Fueling Strong Families & Healthy Habits with SPOT," connecting students with local organizations and career pathways.
"Events like this help our students develop the confidence and skills they need to become effective leaders in their schools and communities," said Mrs. Jacobsen. "The networking opportunities and practical workshops provide real-world experience that students can apply immediately in their FCCLA projects."
The conference concluded with closing announcements and recognition of participating chapters. Students returned to school energized and ready to implement new ideas in their local FCCLA chapter activities.
FCCLA is a national Career and Technical Student Organization that helps young people develop leadership skills, explore career opportunities, and make positive contributions to their families and communities.