Miami FCCLA strike gold in Columbia

Students from Miami R-1 attended the annual Missouri Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) State Leadership Conference, March 25-27, at the Holiday Inn Executive Center in Columbia, MO. This year’s student-developed conference theme was “Dare to be Different: Not Just Another Teen Conference.” The conference featured speakers and workshops on topics such as preparing for college and careers, leadership skills, bullying prevention, and technology’s impact on education, careers, and education. The Missouri FCCLA association ranks fourth in the nation in
membership with more than 11,000 member and 326 chapters. 

Lee'A Hoss earned a silver medal
for her recycling entry

In addition to leadership training, honors and recognition, more than 800 students participated in 33 competitive events, including entrepreneurship, culinary arts, environmental ambassador, recycle and redesign and nutrition and wellness. The STAR (Students Taking Action with Recognition) Events are an integral part of the Family and Consumer Science program and give students the opportunity to become involved leaders in their school and community. 

This year Miami R-1 had three students who competed at the State level in the STAR Events competition: 

Lee'A Hoss competed in recycle and redesign and earned a silver medal. She did a clothing drive, and then created purses from the donated clothing. With the remaining clothing she donated it to Planet aid a nonprofit organization that donates clothing to shelters and recycles the rest.

Jaclyn Crawford competed in the Nutrition and Wellness junior category. Jaclyn learned how to better her health and educate as well as encourage others to do the same. Jaclyn earned a Gold Medal and will be the only Missouri FCCLA member in the junior category to represent Miami R-1 and the state of Missouri in this category at the National Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida this summer.

Makayla Fuqua and Jaclyn Crawford
brought home the gold

Makayla Fuqua competed in the Environmental Ambassador senior category. She started a school wide recycling program and has recycled over 1000 pounds of paper and cardboard. The recycling program she created will be a permanent program at Miami R-1 through the FCCLA chapter. Makayla earned a Gold Medal also and will be the only student in the senior category of Environmental Ambassador to represent Miami R-1 and the state of Missouri at the National Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida this summer.

We are very proud of our chapter and the students that will be representing our school, community and state at the national level. These students have put in countless hours to achieve this goal and they will be wonderful representatives of the Miami R-1 FCCLA chapter in Florida. Jaclyn and Makayla will be conducting fundraisers over the summer to help cover the cost of meals and activities at the National Leadership Conference. The bake sales, car washes, and other fundraising opportunities will be announced soon. Please come out and show your support for these exceptional students at one of our fundraisers.

For more information regarding the Miami R-1 FCCLA program contact Mrs.
Erin Straw at the Miami R-1 660-267-3484 estraw@miami-eagles.k12.mo.us