Warsaw students prepared projects and presentations to compete at the district FCCLA competition and, while there were no state qualifiers, participants took much learning from the experience.
FCCLA Districts was held at UCM on Jan. 29. It was a great learning experience for everyone who chose to participate in it. FCCLA (Family, Career, and Community leaders of America) helps provide students with skills they can use throughout life like leadership, communication, decision-making, and problem solving. FCCLA Districts gave students the opportunity to show off their skills and compete with other schools.
Sophomore Brooke Terry’s STAR (Students Taking Action with Recognition) Event was Early Childhood Education. Her project was “Little Explorers, Big World.” She created a lesson for toddlers that included dinosaurs and identifying colors and size.
“I feel like teaching is my life goal,” she said.
Terry earned a bronze for her project at the district competition.
Senior Amy Terry earned silver for her STAR Culinary Arts Event. She demonstrated how to make a pork chop dish. Her future plans include attending culinary arts school.
Juniors Lillian Bullock and Jordan Dove earned bronze for their Focus on Children STAR Event. Senior Abbey Wilson earned bronze for her Public Policy Advocate STAR Event and freshman Destiny Miller earned a silver on her Repurpose and Redesign STAR Event. None of the Warsaw projects qualified for state.
Students didn’t have to go in person to compete, though. Freshman Raiden Dotson chose to do an online STAR Event.
“I did Instructional Video design which is an online STAR event,” Dotson said. He didn’t make state this year, but he’s looking forward to next year.
Even though some students chose to not present in person they can have the experience of going to Districts.
“I didn’t present at districts, but I did get the opportunity to go and experience districts with my friends,” Dotson said.
There was more to Districts than the fun experience. Participating in the contest provided students with skills that they could later use in life. Students can choose a STAR Event that fits their interest and personal skills. Members usually pick a subject that helps them throughout their life. For example, if a student is interested in clothing design when they are older they would want to participate in the Fashion Design Event. They then independently came up with their project and presented it to judges. This teaches them to be independent and be able to solve problems on their own. Students also need time management to be able to get their project done on time.
Districts were overall an amazing experience for everyone whether they were judging, presenting, there to support friends.
Advisor Kim Pate said her favorite part about the district contest was, “the exposure, members spending time together and having a great time.”
FCCLA attends districts every year and Mrs. Pate and the students love going each time. For some students it was their first time going. Freshman Bri Cooper had a good experience for her first year going. She did an online video on how to prepare cookies.
“I really enjoyed going this year even though I didn’t present, it was enjoyable getting to see what others had brought and how creative people were,” Cooper said.
“This year was my first time but I plan on going for the next three years,” Dotson said.
