Hello all of you Ultimate Leaders! The 2011- 2012 FCCLA National Executive Council has created this blog so all of you can get to know us a little better and hear from us frequently throughout the year. With this blog you can ask us any (appropriate!!) question that pops in your head, and we will try our best to answer them. For the first few weeks we'll tell you a little about ourselves. We'll start off with our main man (or in this case woman) Kaylen Larson, your 2011- 2012 National President.
As we complete another year of FCCLA, we look back to what a success it has been. The 2010-2011 National Executive Council set the bar high for the incoming officers. The 2011 National Leadership Conference, “Imagination in Action,” was an experience that I, and many, will never forget. From the speakers, such as Chef Jeff, to the networking opportunities, such as the exhibit hall, on to the leadership training sessions, such as the State Officer Training, this year’s conference truly was the Ultimate Leadership Experience! I hope to see you all at Capitol Leadership in Washington, D.C., at one of the Cluster Meetings in Minneapolis, Denver, and Atlanta, or at next year’s National Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida!
My name is Kaylen Larson and I serve as your 2011-2012 National FCCLA President. I am more than excited to work with the new National Executive Council and you, the members, as we continue our organization into the future. I joined FCCLA in 2005 as a sixth grade student. That same year, I attended my first State Conference and knew that I wanted to be up on that stage. In 2010, after rapping my candidate speech while 2,000 members gave me a beat, I was elected the MN State VP of Community Service. I attended my first National Leadership conference in Chicago, Illinois as a state officer and had another, “A-ha,” moment: I wanted to run for national office. After months and months of preparation, and a little luck, here I am!
In my school I’ve always been involved in many activities. I’m a former volleyball and basketball player and am involved in the National Honor Society, Student Council, Heads Up (anti drug and bullying group), MN All-State Choir, choir, Fall Musical, vocal/piano lessons, and am Class President. This past year, I was a member of the National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS) Teen Distracted Driving Team and joined the Minnesota Safety Coalition as a youth representative. My involvement with NOYS provided me with various opportunities to advocate for the distracted driving epidemic in Washington, D.C., in my state, and in my community. I would not have been blessed with all of these opportunities had I not joined FCCLA back in 2005.
My favorite books and movies are the Harry Potter series (huge fan). I love baked potatoes with cheese and sour cream as well as 2% Swiss chocolate milk. My favorite place that I’ve traveled to is probably New Orleans, LA with a close second being Salzburg, Austria. My favorite color is green and my school mascot is the Greenwave (we don’t know what a Greenwave is, either). I speak German and am hoping to learn Mandarin in college. I haven’t decided on what school I am going to after I graduate, but I know that I’m interested in majors related to International Business/Leadership, Communication Studies, and Political Science.
Enough about me, I’d love to hear about YOU! Feel free to tell me about yourself by messaging me on Facebook or sending a message to my email account, listed on the national website, www.fcclainc.org.
Kaylen,
ReplyDeleteAs I was scanning your blog, a few questions ran through the thinker. So, if you wouldn't mind answering, here goes.
What prompted you to shoot for the head-hauncho of the organization? What appealed to you over, say, Vice President of Public Relations or First Vice President?
With that, how do you plan to implement your new-found leadership role in your life outside of FCCLA events and meetings?
Thanks for your time!
Taylor
Taylor,
ReplyDeleteWhat a surprise to be hearing from one of my fellow state officers! To answer your questions:
1) I wanted to give back to the organization that has given everything to me. I knew that it was time to aim for my highest potential and do the best job for the team and for the members that I am capable of.
2) The role of president appealed to me because I felt like it was the right time for me to use my strengths to bring a group of diverse people together so as to best serve the organization.
3) I plan to bring my leadership role into everyday life by taking what I learn, such as cooperation, fairness, and kindness, and implementing that new skill set into my family, school, occupation, and community.
Thank you for your questions, I'm always happy to answer:) Have fun in Montana!