Madison High Students Bring Home Honors

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, according to a news release.

The conference is based on the student-originated theme “SOAR.” Six students from James Madison High School were among the members and took part in STAR Event Competitions at the conference.

FCCLA offers over 30 Family and Consumer Sciences related competitive events, also known as STAR (Students Taking Action with Recognition) events. Members compete at the District, State and National level. This year, over 4,200 STAR Event participants competed in San Antonio. This is the largest number of competitors at any National STAR Events competition.

Sloane Smith (Madison High School) placed 1st in the nation and earned a gold medal, the highest level of national recognition, in Hospitality, Tourism, and Recreation STAR Event. She earned a $12,000 scholarship to The Art Institutes for her top place finish. This event recognizes participants who demonstrate their knowledge of the hospitality, tourism, and recreation industries and ability to translate their knowledge into a hypothetical or real business.

Manasa Vallabhaneni (Madison High School) earned a gold medal, the highest level of national recognition, in Career Investigation STAR Event. This event recognizes participants for their ability to perform self-assessments, research and explore a career, set career goals, create a plan for achieving goals, and describe the relationship of Family and Consumer Sciences coursework to the selected career.

Elena Ostapovicz and Emma Rosen (Madison High School) earned a gold medal, the highest level of national recognition, in Digital Stories for Change STAR Event. This event recognizes participants who demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and abilities to actively identify an issue concerning families, careers, or communities; research the topic; and develop a digital story to advocate for positive change.

Julie Welch (Madison High School) earned a gold medal, the highest level of national recognition, in Job Interview STAR Event. This event recognizes participants who use Family and Consumer Sciences and/or related occupations skills to develop a portfolio, participate in an interview, and communicate a personal understanding of job requirements.

Pranati Devineni (Madison High School) earned a gold medal, the highest level of national recognition, in Leadership STAR Event. This event recognizes participants who actively evaluate and grow in their leadership potential. Participants use the Student Leadership Challenge and supporting materials, to investigate their leadership ability and develop a mentorship relationship to further their leadership development.

About FCCLA

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.

PHOTO: Madison High students pose for a photo after recognition at national competition in San Antonio at Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA).