Abbeville students attends national FCCLA conference

More than 7,000 Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) members, advisers, alumni, and guests from across the country gathered in San Antonio for the 2014 National Leadership Conference.

The conference is based on the student-originated theme “SOAR.” Jessica Richardson, a sophomore at Abbeville High School, Abbeville, Louisiana, was among the members and took part in STAR Event Competitions at the conference.

Mrs. Abigail Broussard is her chapter adviser at Abbeville High School.

FCCLA offers over 30 Family and Consumer Sciences related events, also known as STAR (Students Taking Action with Recognition) events.

These events include Culinary Arts, Knowledge Bowl, Career Investigation, and Fashion Construction to name a few. Members compete at the District, State, and National level.

This year, Jessica was among over 4200 STAR Event participants who competed this week in San Antonio. This is the largest number of competitors at any National STAR Events competition. Jessica competed in the event titled, Chapter Service Project, where she presented and displayed information to a panel of judges. Jessica was judged on her leadership skills and presentation. Her project focused on School Safety.

Jessica, along with her FCCLA chapter and students in Mrs. Abigail Broussard’s family and consumer science classes, made window shades for Abbeville High School. Every classroom at Abbeville High School now has a window covering on the door. Teachers, students, and staff have used the shades during lock down drills to cover the windows, which has made the lock down process more efficient for the school. Jessica Richardson received a SILVER medal in the event.

Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), is a dynamic and effective national student organization that helps young men and women become leaders and address important personal, family, work, and societal issues through Family and Consumer Sciences education.

FCCLA has 200,000 members and more than 5,500 chapters from 49 state associations, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The organization has involved more than ten million youth since its founding in 1945.

FCCLA: The Ultimate Leadership Experience is unique among youth organizations because its programs are planned and run by members. It is the only career and technical in-school student organization with the family as its central focus. Participation in national programs and chapter activities helps members become strong leaders in their families, careers, and communities.