The 2024 FCCLA National Leadership Conference (NLC) took place in Seattle, WA, from June 28 – July 3, drawing more than 8,000 students, educators, and guests nationwide. This gathering provided a valuable platform for attendees to expand their leadership skills, sharpen their talents, explore career pathways, and listen to inspiring speakers.
The highly anticipated Students Taking Action with Recognition (STAR) Events were at the heart of the conference. Over 4,300 FCCLA Members competed in these events, where they were recognized for their proficiency and achievement in chapter and individual projects, leadership skills, and career preparation. The collaboration between youth and adults in managing the events and evaluating participants allowed students to develop real-world skills and gain valuable insights.
We are thrilled to share that Ana Durans and Aija Smith Chang-Yen, dual enrollment students of Prof. Zulma A. Cintron in the Lodging Operations program, and Sophie Casey and Summer Hudson-Moffet, students of Chef Tiffany Rogers in the Culinary Arts program, all proudly represented Orange Technical College South Campus and the Horizon High School Dual Enrollment program at the FCCLA National Leadership Conference in Seattle, WA.
Also, for the first time in our organization’s history, Angela Ratcliffe, a student of Chef Felix Perez Cortez in the Culinary Arts program, represented the post-secondary level in these remarkable competitions.
The students competed respectively in the Instructional Video Design, Sustainability Challenge, Leadership, and Teach or Train STAR Events categories. They achieved remarkable National Silver and Bronze medals and placed in the National Finalist and Top 3 for outstanding performance.
The students also had the unique opportunity to tour Renaissance Seattle by Marriott Bonvoy and shadow various hotel departments. Connie Muller, an event manager from the Groups and Sales department at Renaissance Seattle, guided the group behind the scenes, allowing them to explore different career paths and gain insight into the hotel’s culture. The students found the experience incredibly enjoyable and gathered valuable information to help guide their future careers in the industry.
FCCLA projects exemplify students’ dedication, creativity, and commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of others. Their accomplishment at the national level is a testament to their hard work, teamwork, and unwavering passion.
About FCCLA
Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) is a dynamic and effective student-led national organization that supports youth on their journey to become the leaders of tomorrow and helps them address important personal, family, work, and societal issues through Family and Consumer Sciences education. FCCLA has over 240,000 members and more than 5,200 chapters across the nation.
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 intracurricular student organization with a central focus on careers that support families. Participation in national FCCLA programs and chapter activities aids members in becoming strong leaders in their families, careers, and communities. For more information on FCCLA, go to our webpage https://sites.google.com/view/fccla-otcsouth/home or contact Prof. Zulma Cintron-Alamo at 407-251-6122 or 108200@ocps.net.
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