The Lafayette High School chapter of Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) attended the annual state meeting in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 22nd through April 25th at the Galt House Hotel. The Lafayette chapter had nine students attend and compete in STAR events, a set of events related to family and consumer sciences.
Students received their scores and placements from this competition on Friday, April 25th. Senior Allie Padgett received first place in Early Childhood Education. Zoey Brady, a senior, received third place in Baking and Pastries. Sophomores Abby Ledbetter and Evie Ellingsworth received second place in Professional Presentation. Deleigha Cummins, a sophomore, and Marisa Presley, a freshman, received second place in the Chapter Service Project Display. May Dinh, a freshman, received first place in Career Investigation, and Kaliyah Broadnax, a freshman, received first place in Nutrition and Wellness.
The Times spoke to Allie Padgett, who stated, “The best part of state was getting to hang out with the people in my chapter and connect and interact with each other. The hardest part of state is focusing the night before to calm your nerves and create peace in your mind before competing.”
All students placed in the top three, meaning they have qualified for nationals. Since they qualified for nationals, they need to begin preparing their projects. This could consist of memorizing speeches and updating boards or slideshow presentations.
Padgette added, “I am mentally preparing myself for a long week and heavy competition. I need to make sure I am reassuring myself that I am skilled enough to be there.”
Nationals is the last opportunity for students to show off their amazing projects, which they have worked so hard on and dedicated themselves to over this school year. This will also be the very last FCCLA event that many seniors will attend as students, and for some, the last FCCLA event they will ever attend.
This year, the National Leadership Conference will be held in Orlando, Florida, from July 4th through July 9th. FCCLA chapters from all over the country, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, will attend this conference. During this trip, students will compete in STAR events, hear various guest speakers, and have fun exploring a new city with their chapters. Students will have the opportunity to visit Disney World, Universal Studios, and other attractions in Orlando.
When asked what she was looking forward to the most about this trip, Padgett responded, “I am most excited to meet people from all across the country who also share my passion for FCCLA.”
The students of the Lafayette chapter of FCCLA have worked hard this year to impact their school, community, state, and nation in the best way possible. Make sure to wish them luck in Orlando as they compete for the final time this year and as they continue to impact our communities.
