Thirty-two students from the Wayne Jr./Sr. High FCCLA Chapter recently attended the Nebraska Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Fall Leadership Workshop.
This annual event was hosted on Oct. 14, at Wayne State College with over 400 student members, chapter advisers, and guests from 29 chapters in attendance from the northeast Nebraska area.
The event was led by members of the 2024-25 Nebraska FCCLA State Officer Team: Lia Montenegro, President from the West Point-Beemer chapter; Brooklyn Eckert, VP of Competitive Events from the Boyd County chapter; Ashley Caballero-Lazaro, VP of Development from the Neligh-Oakdale chapter; and Ashleigh George, VP of Programs from the Elkhorn North chapter. Attendees were welcomed to campus by Dr. Christian Legler, Interim Dean for the School of Education and Behavioral Sciences at Wayne State College, Amy Gade, Director of Admissions, and Dr. Carol Erwin, Family and Consumer Sciences Professor. The UNL partners shared about the opportunities available at WSC and how members’ experiences in FCCLA are preparing them for successful careers in many fields related to Family & Consumer Sciences.
The Nebraska FCCLA state theme for this year is ‘Rise Above,’ which encourages resilience, determination, and the courage to surpass obstacles, inspiring members to reach new heights despite adversity. Participants heard about the State Officer Team’s Program of Work and how they can get involved with various opportunities throughout the next year. State Peer Officer Team members shared about their team outreach projects and opportunities for involvement and recognition this year.
SPOT members present at the event included, from the Community Leader Team: Sawyer Brudigam, Chairperson & Overall SPOT Council Chair from Wakefield; from the Career Leader Team: Taryn Wingate, Public Relations from Neligh-Oakdale; and from the Family Leader Team: Mayte Flores Garcia, Chairperson & Overall SPOT Council Secretary from Wakefield; Jaquelin Luna-Duran, Secretary from Neligh-Oakdale.
Members had the opportunity to attend a variety of breakout sessions hosted by FCCLA alumni, community partners, and FCCLA leaders along with the opportunity to tour the WSC campus. Nebraska FCCLA State Officers hosted sessions on Competitive Event opportunities, developing community service projects with the FCCLA Planning Process, FCCLA leadership opportunities, and developing personal leadership skills. The State Peer Officers shared more information about how members can get involved in peer education initiatives.
FCCLA alumni inspired members to connect their experiences in FCCLA to future careers in related pathways and leverage the opportunities they have in high school to help propel them into the future they want. Katie Gannon, Haven House Outreach Coordinator, discussed the signs, cycles, and youth statistics of Domestic Violence and shared about the important role of Haven House in the community.
The closing session featured a Wayne State College student panel moderated by Chelsey Greene, Nebraska FCCLA State Adviser. College students shared about their experiences on campus, gave insight on the differences between high school and college, highlighted the multitude of clubs and organizations available to students, and offered advice on how members can be successful in their postsecondary journey.
Members of the student panel were: Bridget Rupprecht, Family & Consumer Sciences Education, FCCLA alumni; Nissi Ramos-Perez, Family & Consumer Sciences Education, FCCLA alumni; Mia Chaicoj-Pinto, Family & Consumer Sciences Education, FCCLA alumni; Chantel Hogan, Family & Consumer Sciences Education; Alondra Vega, Family & Consumer Sciences Education, FCCLA alumni; Taylor Thorp, Nutrition & Food Science; Joe Dagel, Family & Consumer Sciences Education, 2023-24 Minnesota FCCLA State President.
Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) is a dynamic and effective national student organization that helps students become leaders and address important personal, family, work, and societal issues through Family and Consumer Sciences education. With over 244,000 members nationwide and 2,600 members in 100 chapters in Nebraska, FCCLA is the only career and technical in-school student organization with a central focus on careers that support families. Participation in national FCCLA programs and chapter activities helps members become strong leaders in their families, careers, and communities. Nebraska FCCLA is supported through the Nebraska Center for Student Leadership and Extended Learning at the Nebraska Department of Education. For more information about FCCLA, please visit www.nebraskafccla.org.
