TEMPLE, Texas — Temple High School’s chapter of Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) will be well represented at that organization’s State Leadership Conference after eight students qualified to advance to state competition. Those students qualified for the state contest based on their performance at the Region II Leadership Conference in Waco in March.
Temple High School took first place in two different events at the Regional Leadership Conference. Lesly Sanchez and Isabel Valerio teamed up for a first-place finish in Chapter Service, and Christian Yepez took first-place in Early Childhood. Shailah Palacio finished second in Nutrition and Wellness, Juliana Barrientoz added a second-place finish in Early Childhood, and Murry Bamberg III was second in Leadership Skills. Scarlett Jo Aranda took third place in Early Childhood and Raul Fernandez finished in fifth place in Interior Design.
“It means a lot to me because I never really considered that I might be going to state, but it really helped me with my speaking and communication skills. So, it means a lot to me, and my parents were so proud of me,” Sanchez said. “I am looking forward to the chance to meet new people and have some new experiences with my peers. I think anyone who has the opportunity to join FCCLA should because it a great thing to be involved with.”
“It means a lot to me to advance and shows how I am dedicated to this project,” Valerio added. “I hope to learn outside of the classroom and have fun with this experience while also showing my expertise.”
“Qualifying for state means that I have shown proficiency and excellence in interior design,” Fernandez said. “I learned how to use different programs like CAD to help me articulate my floor plan. I want to become an interior designer or architect after I graduate, and I can use this opportunity to advance my skills and learn how these skills are applied in a work environment.”
Doing well in the competition and earning the right to advance to state is a point of pride for the students. But they also understand the benefits of being involved with an organization like FCCLA and the unique opportunity that lies ahead of them.
“It gives me skills and experience in hands-on ways so that I can see a sample of what my future career might look like,” Barrientoz said. “I think it is an amazing opportunity to advance and show my skills, not just to the community, but to people across the FCCLA organization.”
“Not only do you get to see where you’ve grown by competing, you also get a chance to see where you can improve,” Bamberg added. “You can develop communication and teamwork skills and also work on your leadership skills by participating in events like these.”
Yepez is the son of educators, and he says this experience has helped him relate to what his mother has experienced and that he is grateful for the opportunity to showcase his skills at the state level.
“I walk in my house and see my mom making lesson plans and it means a lot to me to be able to feel what she has been through,” Yepez said. “Now that I have done well with this, I am really honored and excited to be able to go to state and have the chance to compete. I am looking forward to the chance to meet other people and find out more about their lives and how they want to reach their goals.”
FCCLA is a national Career and Technical Student Organization for students in family and consumer sciences education. According to the organization’s website, involvement in FCCLA offers members the opportunity to expand their leadership potential and develop skills for life – planning, goal setting, problem solving, decision making, and interpersonal communication – necessary in the home and workplace. The Temple High School chapters advisors are also excited about the opportunity to provide this type of experience to their students as they grow as students, and as people.
“FCCLA state competition is more than an event – it is an opportunity for students to showcase their skills, build confidence, develop leadership skills, and create memories and connections that will benefit them far beyond the classroom,” Temple High Education and Training Teacher Amy Tyner said.
“FCCLA is a student led organization fostering personal growth, leadership, and career preparation,” added Lynann DeJarnett, Temple High Culinary Arts Teacher. “Students develop communication, decision making, and critical thinking skills as they participate in hands-on activities and fundraising activities that give back to their community in a variety of ways.”
The FCCLA State Leadership Conference will be held April 9-11 in Dallas.