Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays FCCLA'ers! The new year is almost here! Can you believe it?! What a joyous time of year with friends and family. There are so many reasons to be thankful this holiday season. From seeing family members who traveled long distances to making traditional holiday goodies, each and every one of us were reminded as to why the holidays are a special time. And when it comes time to ring in the new year on the 31st, you'll have another opportunity to enjoy time with close ones to celebrate. New Year's Eve celebrations are a time to reminisce on the past year and look forward to all the great things about to come in 2013. As FCCLA members, we are responsible to lead by example and show our peers what it means to live a positive lifestyle all times of the year. With the possibility of "sticky situations" arising on New Year's Eve, we all need to be reminded of the blessings we have and the opportunity given to us as leaders. Lead others this New Year's Eve as well! Encourage your friends and family to stay safe while celebrating the new year. I hope you all have had a wonderful holiday season and look forward to seeing what the new year brings for FCCLA at the local, state, and national level. On behalf of the 2013-2013 National Executive Council, I encourage you all to enjoy this New Year's Eve safely. - Elliot Johnson, National President

Happy Holidays

Charity Service Options

Hello FCCLA'ers!

 I hope all of you are having a wonderful holiday season. This time of the year is best for discussing possible community service projects and activities. As FCCLA members, it is important for us to participate, as well as motivate our peers to participate, in bettering our community. From very small and simple actions to huge fundraisers or events, there all types of ways high school students can give back.

Common/Simple Ideas:

-Volunteer at the Special Olympics

-Soup Kitchens

-Local pantry

-Yardwork for senior citizens/nursing homes

-Picking up Trash

-Walking shelter dogs

-Volunteering at a library

-Help teach kids a sport through community

-Volunteer at a nursing home/hospital/child care center

-Host a carnival at a shelter with homeless kids

-Tutor kids with reading/writing/math

-Host a food Drive

-Baby blankets/supplies collection

-Do a giving tree (hang paper ornaments off a tree that say what to get, for example winter coat or diapers and have people take them, you help collect items)

-Toiletries collection

     However, volunteering can be as unique and fun as you make it. Maybe you’d prefer or better enjoy planning a fun event that would raise funds for these charities.

Unique and extremely fun fundraising ideas for any organization/charity:

-A benefit dance/Winter Formal etc.

-Powder Puff Football Game (Teacher Game/ Seniors vs. Juniors etc.)

-Donkey Football Game

-Walkathon

- Volunteers commit to working for an afternoon doing any odd jobs sponsors “hire”
             them to do.

-Reverse Raffles

-Talent Show

-Smoothie Stand

-Little Miss Pretty Pageant (Well-known boys dress up as girls and participate in a girly pageant)

- Have donors pay $1 a vote to decide which form of “torture” to inflict on your organization’s leader (i.e. dye hair, dress as a clown, trade a job for a day).

- Hold a spell-a-thon with each contestant collecting donations for the number of words they spell correctly. The top winners receive donated prizes.

- Participants ask friends and family to donate old jewelry they no longer wear and turn the gold in for cash.

-Coordinate with a store to offer gift wrap services during the holidays.

-Handcuff two willing fundraisers and let them lose when they raise “bail”

- Volunteers commit to shaving their heads if a specified amount is raised by a deadline

     Although we’re discussing charity in a time of giving, as FCCLA members, we must remember to give back to our communities all year around. Get a big group of your friends together once a month and try a new community service activity. Show your peers that giving back can be just as fun as going out and that one person or group of people can make a big difference! Passion for helping others truly is contagious. Remember, an act of kindness, no matter how small, is never forgotten.

          

                                                                                Happy Holidays, 

    

                                                                               Magda Hernandez                                                                                  

                                                                 National Vice-President of Community Service

Public Relations/Membership

     This week’s blog features Linsey Armstrong and Caleb Hearon, the National Vice-President of Public Relations and National Vice-President of Membership, respectively. The duo will share more about their office and their goals for the year.

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     FCCLA needs YOU to make your digital mark! There are many ways you can help promote and publicize the organization, especially on social media. Search the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America on Facebook and “like” our page to help us reach our goal of 12,000 likes. Follow @NationalFCCLA on Twitter and help us increase to 3,000 followers. You can also help us reach our goal of increasing views and followers of this blog by 5%. If you haven’t yet, be sure to download the FCCLA app!

     We all know there are many ways to describe the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. It’s an organization that takes us “toward new horizons” and it’s the only Career and Technical Student Organization that has the family as its central focus. However, the description the leaders of FCCLA often prefer is the tagline, The Ultimate Leadership Experience.

     Repetition is a crucial part of promoting and branding the organization. When discussing FCCLA to students, administration, community leaders and elected officials, we encourage you to consistently reiterate the tagline. “The Ultimate Leadership Experience” is a powerful phrase that describes FCCLA. You can also promote this on social media!

     Only with your help can we make brand our organization and make our digital mark! Let’s all work together to spread the red!

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     Membership, something we all have talked about and all wish to improve. Of course, 200,000 plus members is nothing to scoff at, but our ultimate goal is to impact even more students through the Ultimate Leadership Experience! This year we have launched the brand new iRecruit membership recruitment campaign in an attempt to reach 213,000 members by 2013 and with all of your help we can achieve our goal. Through this membership campaign individual winners will receive an iPod touch, free NLC registration for Nashville this summer, and recognition on the national level! You can learn even more about iRecruit by following this link: http://www.fcclainc.org/content/irecruit/

     I hope you will work hard this school year at recruiting new members to make your local, regional, and state associations even better. One of the best ways to “spread the red” is using social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc. to get your message out there. Let’s get to work this year and take FCCLA “Toward New Horizons” in 2013!

Share Our Strength

This week's blog includes activities done on the chapter and state level by some members of the National Executive Council to benefit our outreach partner, Share Our Strength!

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Orange Grove High School participated in the go orange week for Share our Strength. FCCLA members sold card pin ups for $1 each and decorated the hallways with them. The Orange Grove chapter also hosted a powder puff football game between the senior and junior girls. T-shirts were designed and the high school boys dressed up as cheerleaders to support their grades. Admission to the game was $3 or 6 canned foods. Fact about childhood hunger in America and Share Our Strength were announced during the game. The event raised several thousands of dollars! Both fundraisers were major successes because our FCCLA members were all very passionate and excited about the great cause!

                                                                                                                               Magda Hernandez

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My chapter is doing a "Dance-A-Thon" in the spring to fundraise for Share Our Strength. A Dance-A-Thon is when you have students try to dance from 6 p.m till 6 a.m the next morning. For every hour they go, they have sponsors donate money for Share Our Strength. We have Zumba instructors come, play Just Dance on Wii, and have a blast for 6 hours to raise money for a great cause!

                                                                                                                                 Elliot Johnson

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Childhood hunger is not something simple; however it has a simple solution. Here at Pleasant Grove High School in Utah, where I go to school, we decided to make a goal of $500 by March. So far we are well on our way. The Utah delegation’s goal is to raise $3.14 per member (get it?! Pi!). To help us get to our goal we started by bring Awareness to No Kid Hungry. We made a showcase right by the lunch room (there’s no way you can miss seeing this showcase, it’s big). We educated our school and then got to the fun of raising money. We started to sell Cotton Candy at Football games and our schools movie nights. We now are selling at Basketball games and sometimes during lunch. We are at $300 so far and so the hope is to rise more than our goal! (I’ll keep you posted). At Fall Leadership, we raised over $600. We had boxes where people put money in to pie a State or National Officer. I got pied 2 times. It was a lot of fun because we raise a lot of money in just two days.

Overall, Utah is doing a great job and so is my Chapter!

                                                                                                                                  Ashley Labrum

                                                                                                                                 

Cluster: OKC

Thankfulness

The National Executive Council has many things to be thankful for, and they would like to share a few with you!

Ashley Faulkner, VP of Finance

I am thankful for my family for always loving me and supporting me in everything I do, my friends for being there and knowing how to make me laugh, and FCCLA for making me the person I am and allowing me to serve as the National Vice-President of Finance.

Ashley Labrum, VP of Programs

I am thankful for flushing toilet, friends, family, FCCLA, and apple juice.

Caleb Hearon, VP of Membership

I’m thankful for my family who has always supported me. I’m thankful for FCCLA and the impact it’s had on my life. I’m also thankful for all my friends who are always there for me.

Justin Hess, First Vice President

I am thankful for the opportunity to be a part of FCCLA. It has changed my life completely, and I would not be where I am now without it.

Chandler Classen, VP of Development

I am thankful for my family, the privilege of serving as a National Officer, and the great opportunities I have been given.

Elliot Johnson, President

I am thankful for my family who has supported me all my life. I'm thankful for the health I have and the love that surrounds me. I'm also thankful for the people who have worked hard to provide me with the life I live.

Skylar Borchardt, VP of Competitive Events

I am thankful for my family, as well as all of the opportunities I have been given.

Linsey Armstrong, VP of Public Relations

I am thankful for my friends and family who continually love and support me in everything that I do. I am so grateful to serve on the National Executive Council for an organization that has truly changed my life. I am also thankful for all the blessings I have in life and the opportunities I have been given.

Magda Hernandez, VP of Community Service

I’m thankful for my loving family and their continuous support. I’m thankful for being able to live in a country that grants me freedom and all the resources I need to achieve my dreams. I’m thankful for having the opportunity to be a part of FCCLA.

Marquis Johnson, VP of Parliamentary Law

I am thankful for my family, friends and FCCLA. I am thankful for being saved and having Jesus in my life. I am thankful for my National Executive Council members, adviser and national staff.

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

                                                                         - FCCLA National Executive Council

Photo courtesy of Lifetouch

Clusters: Renapolis

Hey Guys!

 It's Ashley Faulkner here, your VP of Finance, and on behalf of the A Team (Ashley Labrum, Skylar Borchardt, Justin Hess, Caleb Hearon) I'd like to thank all of you who attended the National Cluster Meetings in Reno, Nevada and Indianapolis, Indiana! We had a blast with you guys these past 2 weeks! You all really made your mark and took advantage of the entire conference! At Clusters we heard dynamic speakers, participated in competitive events, went to great workshops, and made a huge impact with our national projects! Thank you to Patrick Grady and Harriet Turk for their inspiring messages and many laughs! Their words played a huge part in us making our mark. Congratulations to all of the Skills Demonstration Events and FACS Knowledge Bowl winners! Thank you to all of the workshop presenters! We really appreciate you sharing your great ideas with FCCLA members everywhere! While at Clusters we made our mark by participating in our National Outreach  Projects, March of Dimes and Share Our Strength. November is National Prematurity Awareness month and we spread the word by wearing purple ties and scarves and passing out purple glow bracelets. For Share Our Strength, we hosted a Pie a National Officer fundraiser. Thank you all for making your mark and helping us reach our goal of $1500 at both conferences! We would take a pie any day for Share Our Strength! The 2012 National Cluster Meetings were a huge success and all those in attendance are responsible. If you weren't able to attend this year, don't worry! You guys can come next year to Clusters in Spokane, Washington; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Omaha, Nebraska!

Thank you all once again for attending the National Cluster Meetings and we look forward to helping you Discover Your Voice this summer at the National Leadership Conference in Nashville, Tennessee!

Ashley Faulkner

National FCCLA Vice President of Finance

Meet Linsey

Hey FCCLA’ers!

I am Linsey Armstrong, a proud Husker, television fanatic, and a fan of lame jokes, public speaking, and foods that end in “o”.  I am so incredibly honored to be serving as your National Vice-President of Public Relations!

I bring you greetings from Nebraska, the home of the good life. I live in a small town of 850 people. During the summer, I spend a lot of time at my family’s cabin about an hour away. I am a proud Raider at Logan View High School, where I plan to graduate at the end of the year with a class of 45 people.

I live at home with my mom, dad, and two dogs. My mom, Jane, is a lead medical coder at an area hospital. My dad, Elmer, works at 3M. I have 7-year-old Miniature Schnauzer named Jamie and Hunny, a 1-year-old Hungarian Vizsla.

In school, I am also involved with Speech Team, National Honor Society, Spanish Club, Science Club and Academic Team. I serve on Nebraska’s Attorney General’s Youth Advisory Council and attended Cornhusker Girls’ State this past summer. Outside of school, I spend a lot of time working at Hooper’s Office Bar and Grill. I currently cook, but I have also washed dishes and bussed tables. We serve super good food, and I love the fun environment we have. I also help out at a local daycare when needed. I’m also active at my church, and attend various youth groups.

I plan to graduate in May of 2013. In the fall, I plan to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a major in Public Relations/Advertising with minors in Business and Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication.

I challenge each and every one of you to make your digital mark and support FCCLA via social media. “Like” the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America on Facebook, follow @NationalFCCLA on Twitter, and make a Blogster account to follow both the NEC Blog and the Advisers Blog!

If you ever have questions, feel free to contact me at larmstrong@fcclainc.org. You can also friend me on Facebook, and follow me on Twitter @MyLifeAsLinsey.

I can’t wait to meet some of you at National Cluster Meetings in Oklahoma City, and the rest of you at the 2013 National Leadership Conference in Nashville!

                                                                                              In FCCLA Spirit,

                                                                                            Linsey Armstrong

Photo courtesy of Shane & Sunny Photography

Meet Ashley L.

Hey FCCLA family!

            I am Ashley Labrum, your 2012-2013 National Vice-President of Programs. I am writing this week to tell you a little more about myself!

            I am the 3rd oldest of 4 girls. (Yes, you read that right, ALL girls!!) I even have a princess puppy named Kaylee. I am big in to family adventures. I love doing everything with them. We eat supper every night together, we travel together, and best of all play games and eat treats together! My older sister is named Brittany, and her and her husband live only 2 doors down, so that’s fun! Kimberly goes to college and then duh, me - I am a high school senior at Pleasant Grove High School. Then Gabie is last; she is in 6^th grade. With all of our busy lives, I’m happy that I have a mom and dad who take care of us and still make sure we don’t forget about family time. You can’t miss my family when we walk down the street, words really don’t describe how outstanding I feel to be a part of my amazing family.

           

Lets go back to my high school because, if you ask me, I think its kind of cool! I came from a normally size high school of 1,892 kids. I went and asked just so I could tell you, that there are 13 Ashley’s in my whole school. You would think there would be more, but no. 5 of them are seniors. All but 2 of them spell it like mine. I love my school and am way big in “Bleeding Viking Blue!” I am on our student body, the Assistant Director for Drama, Choir and an FCCLA lover! Besides school involved I am a part of the NSA (National Speaking Association). The majority of my time is spent on FCCLA, school activities and college stuff, however like every teenager I love to hangout on the weekend with friends. 

           

My passion in life is helping others in ways that help us too. PROGRAMS! It truly is the best way to say I love all that FCCLA has to offer. Enough about me though, this year is about you! If you didn’t think your school was going to do a National Program, THINK AGAIN. I am only one e-mail away, and I would love to help you! With all of your help, FCCLA can help others and put a smile on your face and there’s. “Smile, it gives your face something to do!”  I hope to hear from you all soon!!!

                                                                                                In FCCLA Spirit,

                                                                                                Ashley Labrum

Meet Marquis

Hello fellow FCCLA members,

I am Marquis Johnson, and I am excited to be serving as your 2012-2013 National Vice-President of Parliamentary Law.

I bring you greetings from Arkansas. I live in Nashville, a small rural town of 4,878 in southwest Arkansas, one hour from the Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana state lines. Southwest Arkansas is known for its scenic beauty, lakes, fishing, timber, poultry, cattle, manufacturing, and tourism.

Nashville is 13 miles from the only public diamond mine in the U.S, the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, where finders are keepers! And Nashville is 24 miles from Hope, the birthplace of former President Bill Clinton.

Nashville is the home of the Mighty Scrappers. Nashville Public Schools has four campuses k-12 with an enrollment of 1,950 students. My graduating class has 147 students and my school is known for our Scrapper pride spirit.

My parents are Regina Hopkins and Juan Johnson. I live with my grandparents Nadine and William Stuart. I have several brothers and sisters and a large extended family that I am very close to.

I stay very busy with school organizations, community service projects and church.  I am involved in Big Brothers and Big Sisters in Christ, Special Prevention Unit (SPU), FBLA, and First Priority. I attend church at Emmanuel Church of God in Christ in Ashdown, where I am very active in my church youth group, youth choir, mass choir, and youth ministry council.

I challenge each of you to make a difference by educating people about FCCLA and promoting and publicizing all the great things you and your chapters are accomplishing in FCCLA! Make your mark by hosting Great American bake sales for Share Our Strength, by participating in a service project, a STAR Event or any of the national FCCLA programs . Take advantage of all the awesome opportunities that are available to you through FCCLA.

Thank you, FCCLA for the amazing opportunity and privilege to serve you this year.  Words can’t describe how honored I am to be serving on the National Executive Council. I look forward to seeing everyone who be attending the Oklahoma City National Cluster Meeting!

                                                                                                            In FCCLA Spirit,

                                                                                                           

                                                                                                            Marquis Johnson

Meet Caleb

Hey there, National FCCLA!

     

      I am Caleb Hearon, your extremely proud 2012-2013 National Vice-President of Membership.

     I am a senior from the Show Me State of Missouri! I live in Chillicothe, the home of the Hornets and Sliced Bread. I have a graduating class of 160 and my town has a population of about 10,000 people. My high school is also known for our school spirit and the “CHS Swarm” high school student section. I have an older brother and two older sisters; I live with my mom, Kellie. I am involved in CHS Student Council, FBLA, Key Club, Senior Executive Committee, and boy’s spring tennis.

     I stay very busy with school, organizations, and community service but when I am free I love to just be around my friends. In my spare time I go to the YMCA, watch movies, or play XBOX with my friends. I am a VERY big fan of the Jayhawks and the University of Kansas. I am beyond excited to be serving FCCLA as a member of the National Executive Council this year because we are the only Ultimate Leadership Experience.

     Thank you, National FCCLA, for the amazing opportunity to serve you this year and for changing my life in 7^th grade!

-Caleb Hearon

Meet Ashley F.

Hey FCCLA Lovers!

 I'm Ashley Faulkner and I am honored to be serving as your 2012-2013 National Vice-President of Finance!

I live in the fairly large town of Morgantown, West Virginia, home of the West Virginia Mountaineers! We are growing each year with more and more students! I live with my mother, Angela;  my stepfather, Brent; and my gigantic French Bordeaux Mastiff, Alden. My mom is the Executive Director  of the Osher Lifelong Learning institute for WVU and my stepdad owns a law practice.

I go to University High School where I am just starting out my junior year. So far so good! Besides FCCLA, I am actively involved in my school's yearbook, The Little Monticola, as a section editor. I am also a member of Student council, Youth in Government, Wild Hawks (pep club), Spanish Honorary, National Honor's Society, and the Greater Morgantown Area Youth Commission.

When I'm not doing homework, I love to spend time with my family and friends. I'm really blessed and thankful to have them and all the support they give me.

If you ever  have questions or need help, please don't hesitate to email me at afaulkner@fcclainc.org! I love getting emails! You can also add me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter, @FaulknerAshley. I hope I get to meet many of you this year, starting with Clusters in Indianapolis and Reno! Thank you for being a part of the Ultimate Leadership Experience!

In FCCLA Spirit,

Ashley Faulkner

Meet Chandler

Hey FCCLA members,

       I hope you are all having a great year! I am honored to be serving as your National Vice-President of Development.

       I live in a city of about 25,000 people in Nebraska. I have three brothers and one sister. My brothers are Jacob, Kodi, and Tanner. My loving sister is Kortney. My parents got divorced when I three and I live with my amazing mother, Tammy. She is a Dietary Manager at a nursing home and makes some of the greatest food you will ever eat. As a family, we love watching Husker football games!

        This year I am a junior in high school. I have been involved in a lot of sports and activities throughout my life. I used to play football, soccer, basketball, and wrestling. I am involved in Speech, One-Act Play and musicals. Besides FCCLA, I love public policy and politics. This year I am a Regional Field Director for a congressional campaign. I hope that someday I will be able to run for a federal office senate, maybe even President someday.

        If anyone has any questions, email me at cclassen@fcclainc.org. Make sure to attend a National Cluster Meeting and experience The Ultimate Leadership Experience!

Photo courtesy of Lifetouch.

Capitol Leadership

It's a beautiful day here at the Omni-Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. The red polos are starting to arrive, ready to kick-off FCCLA's Capitol Leadership! The National Executive Council is so excited to meet members and advisers from across the country at the Leadership Banquet tonight. Other things planned for the week are advocacy training, leadership development, and Congressional visits! Want to help promote FCCLA and Capitol Leadership? Tweet to @NationalFCCLA and use #FCCLADC or tag the official Family, Career and Community Leaders of America Facebook page in posts!

Meet Skylar

    Hey all FCCLA members!  I am truly honored to be serving as your National Vice-President of Competitive Events.

 

     I live in a fairly rural community with an average high school class size of 150.  Litchfield’s claim to fame right now is a 2003 graduate, John Carlson, who plays in the NFL as a Tight End for the Minnesota Vikings.  My dad works as a sales representative for Verizon Wireless, which is convenient whenever you have phone issues.  My mom is the daycare director at our church.  I have one younger brother, Treyton, who is 16 and a junior in high school.  We also live in the country and on the same property as my grandparents.  I love spending time with my grandpa and helping him restore classic cars.  I even have a 1955 Chevy Pickup of my own.  It is easy to see family is a huge part of my life.

     This year I am a senior in high school and taking advantage of every opportunity.  I play for my school’s football and basketball teams as an offensive/defensive lineman and a power forward, respectively.  I play bass guitar in the concert band and jazz band.  I am also involved in DECA and Student Council, along with being present at almost every school sporting event.  I take pride in being active in my church as well.  I am on the youth and family board and play bass guitar in church at least twice a month.  In the midst of all this, just like all you other seniors, I am applying to college too!

     If you ever have any questions about Competitive Events or anything email me at sborchardt@fcclainc.org and follow me on twitter @skylarborchardt.  For those of you coming to Capitol Leadership I am excited to see you there!  For those of you attending the Reno or Indianapolis National Cluster Meetings, we will Make Your Mark! 

                                                                                                             In FCCLA Spirit,

                                                                                                              Skylar Borchardt

Photo by: Jill Gabrielson

FCCLA: Leadership Beyond High School

         First, I think it’s important that I introduce myself. My name is Trent Misak and I am a college sophomore at Southwestern Oklahoma State University where I study Mass Communications and am part of the Orientation Leader Program where I serve as an Advisory Board Member. Most importantly though, I am a product of how FCCLA can make an impact on your life and help make you become a better leader in today’s society. I served as the National VP of Membership in 2010-2011 and I'm currently a member of the Leadership Training Team (LTT). FCCLA has continued to be a part of my life even though I am not an active member. That’s why I want to share with everyone that what you learn in FCCLA doesn’t stop in high school; it stays with you and helps you in the rest of your life.  

I could tell so many stories about how I have used what I learned in FCCLA while being a college student, but I will just give you two ways. First, it has helped me be outgoing. College is a time where you start over and make new friends and become part of different organizations. Being active in FCCLA and attending conferences helped me become an outgoing person and not afraid to go out of my comfort zone and make new friends. Second, I developed leadership skills in FCCLA such as, public speaking, organization, punctuality, professionalism, and networking, just to name a few. Each of these has helped me either in the classroom, Orientation Program, developing relationships with important campus leaders, and being an overall good person.

FCCLA gives members so many opportunities and it is important that former members don’t forget to give back. Get involved with a local chapter, evaluate STAR Events, volunteer at conferences or apply to become part of the LTT. Your alumni involvement will continue to allow opportunities for FCCLA members to have, “The Ultimate Leadership Experience” that you had.  

In today’s society having leadership skills is vital. Being active in FCCLA will give you the tools necessary for becoming that effective leader. Think to yourself, “Where would I be without FCCLA?” Sometimes you will be amazed at where FCCLA has taken you and how it has changed your life. 

                                                                                              

Leadership Training Team
L to R: Kristen Ray, Leilani Mullins, Trent Misak, Andrew Schantz (national staff), Molly Sullivan, Caroline Weir

Meet Justin

    Hello FCCLAers! I am honored to be serving as your National First Vice President. This week’s blog is going to give you a little inside information about my life. Here’s  the 411:

    I live in a rural area in the Appalachian Mountains known as Tazewell County, Virginia. I am an energetic eighteen-year-old  senior  who walks the hall of Richlands High School when I’m not traveling for FCCLA. My parents, Rusty and Teresa Hess mean the world to me, and I thank them every day for everything they do for me. My mom is my best friend and I tell her everything about my life. She is my role model and has taught me to never stop believing. I can achieve anything if I set my mind to it. My parents own a small town business that has grown to operate in three states. When I’m home, I spend a lot of my time working in the office helping them with the daily operations of their business. I have an older brother; Josh, who is on a full athletic scholarship to play football at the University of Richmond. Go Spiders! As you can tell, my family means a lot to me, even though we are often miles apart from each other.

     I spend a majority of my time completing FCCLA assignments, working as an intern to the Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Southwest Virginia Community College, and serving on the Tazewell County Relay for Life Committee. At high school I am involved in Hi-Y, Key Club (Kiwanis), Cadre, DECA, People to People Student Ambassador Program, Congressional Youth Leadership Council, 4-H, Science Club, Model United Nations, and I serve as the senior class Vice President. I am very busy! I love having a busy schedule, and constantly having something to do. 

     If I can be of assistance to you in any way please do not hesitate to contact me. You can message me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter @hess_justin, or send me an email at jhess@fcclainc.org. I encourage all of you to join the National Executive Council at Capitol Leadership in Washington D.C., and at one of the three National Cluster Meetings in Reno Nevada, Indianapolis, Indiana, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. If you’re lucky, you may even get to pie a national officer in the face to support our outreach project Share Our Strength.  I hope you have a fantastic year in FCCLA!

Photo courtesy of Lifetouch.

Meet Magda

     Hola FCCLAers! Well, this week’s blog will give you the inside scoop about myself and Share Our Strength (whoooop whooooop)!

     I live in a small TEXAS town called Orange Grove which consists of a Stripes, four-way stop and Dairy Queen. My family is extremely close and anything but average. My parents, Maria and Catarino, are my heroes and two of my best friends. I have two older brothers, Catarino-22 and Arnaldo-20, who have molded me into the strong and outspoken person I am today. Together, we are either the loudest table at the Chinese restaurant or the craziest group at the beach, and I wouldn’t have it any other way! Words cannot describe how blessed I feel to be a part of such an amazing family.

    A majority of my time is spent on FCCLA, other organizations, and college. I believe there is so much to discover about the world, so endless learning is very important to me. However, I am a natural born adrenaline junkie.  From skydiving and rock climbing to jet skiing and tubing, I live for excitement! There is nothing I love more than watching people laugh (although my mom’s Thanksgiving stuffing comes close)! Traveling the world and helping others are my two most valuable life goals.

    My passion for serving others has allowed me to work very closely with FCCLA’s National Outreach Project. September is Hunger Action Month, and as you may know, Share Our Strength is one of FCCLA’s national outreach project partners. FCCLA is committed to helping solve the hunger crisis in the United States. Last year, FCCLA raised over $40,000 to donate to Share Our Strength. This year, we have set a goal of $150,000! With all of your help, FCCLA can end childhood hunger by 2015!

     I am excited to see what the year brings, and how big of an impact FCCLA can make. Remember, it all starts with YOU!

                                                                                                     In FCCLA Spirit,

                                                                                                   Magda Hernandez

                                         


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Here are a few photos of the NEC wearing orange for No Kid Hungry!

Meet Elliot

     Hello FCCLA members! I hope your school year is off to a great start. I’m writing the blog this week to tell you a little about myself!

     Since FCCLA’s central focus is family, I think it’s fitting to start my blog spot off by telling you about my family.  My family and I are extremely close. Whether it’s family vacations in the summer or supporting a family member at a sporting event, we do almost everything together. My parents, Marty and Teri, work locally in our town. My father is an accountant for a midwest grocery store and my mother is a senior pastor at one of our churches here in Brookings, South Dakota.  I am the youngest of five siblings.  My siblings include Taylor, 24; Alyssa, 22; Alec, 20; and my twin sister, Emily, who is 18. I am truly blessed with the family I have and love spending every minute with them.

     Throughout my childhood in South Dakota, I loved playing all types of sports. From basketball to soccer, I tried it all. I also loved acting as a young kid as well. In high school, I have been involved with numerous extracurricular activities. I run on the track team, play basketball and volleyball, am a member of our school’s Student Council, and am a member of our school’s improvisational troupe that performs skits about the issues young kids and high school students are facing today.

     But hey, enough about me! I can’t wait to see what each and every one of you will accomplish this year in FCCLA. Whether you decide to compete in STAR Events or challenge the status quo in a National Program, I encourage you all to get involved with FCCLA! Our National Cluster Meetings are coming soon to a state near you! For more information, check out the national website. I hope I see you all there!

                                                                                                                     In FCCLA spirit,

                                                                                                                        Elliot Johnson

                                                                                                       2012-2013 National FCCLA President

 Photographed by ML Portraits, Inc.

2012-2013 National Executive Council

Hey FCCLA'ers, if you weren't at the 2012 FCCLA National Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida, here's the announcement of the 2012-2013 National Executive Council!


President: Elliot Johnson, South Dakota
First Vice-President: Justin Hess, Virginia
Vice-President of Community Service: Magda Hernandez, Texas
Vice-President of Competitive Events: Skylar Borchardt, Minnesota
Vice-President of Development: Chandler Classen, Nebraska
Vice-President of Finance: Ashley Faulkner, West Virginia
Vice-President of Membership: Caleb Hearon, Missouri
Vice-President of Parliamentary Law: Marquis Johnson, Arkansas
Vice-President of Programs: Ashley Labrum, Utah
Vice-President of Public Relations: Linsey Armstrong, Nebraska

Stay tuned to the blog for new events, information, biographies, and more!


Also, share this link with your friends and chapter/state associations to increase followers on the blog!

Your NEC's Progress

Your NEC has been working hard to plan exciting conferences and experiences for you! At our Mid-­‐Winter meeting we were up to all kinds of shenanigans: • We planned next year’s NCM theme, “Make Your Mark” • We participated in the Board of Directors Meetings and contributed the youth perspectives to the various committees • The NEC and State Advisers received a private showing of... THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER! From chocolate frogs, to butter beer, and Hogwarts, we can’t wait for you to have the opportunity to check it out during NLC this summer! • We filmed the NLC promotional video that you may be seeing at your state conferences! • National Officer Candidates beware: we have special activities set up just for you! • We toured the NLC hotels, and boy are we excited! You guys are going to have a blast! • Our pet monkey, Cliff, traveled to his new home in Arkansas to spend some time with your VP of Community Service, Alex Durham! • All ten of your NEC video chatted with members from all over the nation. To all who participated, we enjoyed getting to know you! • We created workshops, planned NLC skits, determined various NLC special sessions, and worked on state conference material We are so unbelievably excited about this year’s NLC in Orlando, Florida July 8-­‐12! Hope to see you there! There will be a new contest coming soon to the FCCLA Lovers Facebook page! If you are interested in having a member of the NEC Skype into one of your chapter or state meetings, contact klarson@fcclainc.org to set it up!

New Years Goals

Happy New Year everyone! As we reflect back on the accomplishments of 2011 and say goodbye for a final time, we can't help but be excited for 2012!  This year is sure to be one for the history books!  Not only does 2012 mean the long-awaited graduation for seniors, the mysterious Mayan calendar, or the next presidential election, but it's also a new opportunity to better yourself, your chapter, your state, and your nation through FCCLA!   Whether your New Year Resolution is to be healthier, to save money, or become a better person, FCCLA's National Programs like Student Body, Financial Fitness, and Power of One are perfect tools in helping you achieve your goals!  Just as you set personal goals for the New Year, we would like to encourage you to set down with your local officer team and set goals for your chapter.  Whether it's to raise membership, raise the number of STAR event participants, or raise money for Share Our Strength, your goals help move our organization forward!   Here is some helpful information to help you set SMART goals destined for success! S- Specific. Write down exactly what you want to accomplish with this goal. Make sure it answers the 5 W's: who, what, when, where, and why. M- Measurable. If you can't measure results and progress, you'll never know if you actually achieved your goal. A- Attainable.  Goals should challenge you, but what good are they if there's no way you'll actually accomplish them? R- Relevant.  You goals should be focused toward your long-term plans and relate to your vision, skills, and talents. T- Timely.  Set a timeframe for accomplishing your goal.  Break that down into smaller benchmarks to measure your progress. Remember, if you ever need help or would like to share your accomplishments with us, we love hearing from you!  You can find our emails listed on the National Website (www.fcclainc.org) or send us a message on Facebook.  We look forward to hearing about all that you accomplish this year!  We know with members like you, this is sure to be a year FCCLA will never forget!  Happy 2012! :)