Students from Northeast Vernon County attended the 2022 Missouri Family, Career and Community Leaders of America State Leadership Conference, March 20-22 at Tan-Tar-A Conference Center in Osage Beach. Over 1,200 delegates from across the state represented 7,340 members of Missouri FCCLA.
The following Northeast Vernon County members attended the conference: Emma Bruce, Kierstin Trueblood, Charity Middleton, Crae Hutchison, Breanna Stone and Maleah Hogan. Local chapter adviser/advisers Laurie Bybee also attended.
The conference centered on the student-developed theme “Let Leadership Shine: Missouri FCCLA’s Diamond Year” in celebration Missouri FCCLA’s 75th Anniversary. The conference kicked off with the Opening General Session on Sunday evening where the 2021-2022 Missouri FCCLA State Executive Council presided. The keynote speaker was Kyle Scheele.
On Monday, more than 400 students participated in 31 competitive STAR Events – Students Taking Action with Recognition. Events include entrepreneurship, culinary arts, job interviews, chapter service projects, event management, and many others. Kierstin Renee earned a Silver Medal in Level 3 Teach and Train, Emma Bruce earned a Silver Medal in Level 3 Entrepreneurship, Avery Minor earned a Gold in Event Management Level 3, Maleah Hogan served as our voting delegate, Breanna Stone earned a Silver in Career Exploration Level 3 and Crae Beth-Dighero Hutchison earned a Gold in Nutrition and Wellness Level 3. Students also were able to attend workshops on leadership development, college prep, finance, and health. Exhibits from Missouri colleges and universities were also present at the conference.
Student voting delegates elected the 2022-2023 Missouri FCCLA State Executive Council. Conference attendees raised over $2,000 for our state outreach project benefiting the Salvation Army.
FCCLA is unique among student organizations because projects and events–such as the State Leadership Conference–are planned and run by its student members. This prime focus of Missouri FCCLA, youth-centered leadership, helps members develop those “skills for life”–planning, goal setting, problem solving, decision-making, and interpersonal communication -necessary in the work place and in the home.