Members Demonstrate Leadership Skills at State FCCLA Conference

1,400 students recently attended the state convention of the South Dakota Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), which was held April 26^th  – 28^th at the Ramkota Convention Center in Sioux Falls. The Hunger Games themed event was a great success. FCCLA members attended workshops, competed in STAR (Students Taking Action with Recognition) Events, and ran for leadership positions. On Sunday night, students listened to highly acclaimed keynote speaker Kent Julian. Students also had the opportunity to attend workshops presented by Kent Julian, State Leadership Team members, and special guests.  Shannon Duffy presented a workshop for the Trends State Leadership Team.  Molly Connot, a 2014-15 State FCCLA Officer, presided over the meeting along with the 9 other state officers.  On Monday, the new state executive council was announced.  Abi Leyden, a sophomore at Winner High School, was elected to serve as the 2015-2016 SD FCCLA Vice President of Chapter Recognition where she will help recruit and retain over 2,000 members across the state. STAR Event winners were also announced; seventeen members competed in various STAR Event competitions that advanced from district competition.  Gold medal winners in their respective STAR Event Categories include: Shannon Duffy, Sydnie Peters, Abi Leyden, Bethany Cable, Bailey Harter, Marcie HeHaan, Brea Heth, Deiyondra Gillis, Chantelle Brill, Dani Ferguson, Janine Bartels, and Taylor Audiss; Silver Medal Winners include JoHannah Whiting, Molly Connot, Emily Moser, Alex Meiners, and Hannah Peterson.  Top Superior Medal Winners include:  Brea Heth, Bethany Cable, and Shannon Duffy.  Shannon Duffy won the overall plaque in Career Investigation and will be representing South Dakota at the national meeting in Washington, DC in July. Molly Connot was selected to serve on the Advocacy State Leadership Team for the 2015-2016 school year.  The chapter received numerous Power of One Awards and was named a Gold Level Merit Chapter State award winner.  Mrs. Brockhoft was named the South Dakota FCCLA Adviser of the Year.

The Winner Chapter received a Gold Award from the State Outreach Leadership Team and a Silver Award from the Trends State Leadership Team for service projects completed throughout the year.  The Winner FCCLA Chapter also received the District VI Top Honors Award for having the highest STAR Event score average of all schools competing from District VI.
Judy Duffy, Brad Duffy, Linda Nelson, and Susan Hauff accompanied the students as chaperones and served as judges for the event.   Kris Brockhoft, Winner FCCLA Adviser, accompanied students and served as a STAR Event Lead Consultant for the Career Investigation competitions.

FCCLA was first established in 1945 and in South Dakota in 1946.  The family has served as the focus of this organization since its establishment.  It is a career-technical student organization that prepares youth to assume adult roles in society as wage earners, community leaders, and caring family members by giving them the “life skills” they need to thrive in their communities, careers, and families.