North Star students attend FCCLA leadership conference in Bozeman

Press release

Ashleigh Barrett, Ecko Fraser, Quincy McCormick, Madelyn Myers, Savannah Schaumloeffel, Quinn Trueax and Jordyn VanWechel from North Star Schools attended the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America - FCCLA - 2024 State Leadership

Conference in Bozeman March 14-15, 2024.

FCCLA's 2024 conference drew more than 575 members, advisers, and supporters from across the state with opportunities for personal development, career exploration, and community service. The event was made possible through a sponsorship by the Montana State University College of Education, Health and Human Development.

Throughout the conference, attendees participated in a variety of activities. The keynote speaker was motivational speaker, entertainer, author and minister Cody Byrns, and workshop session presenters Included Chef Eduardo Garcia of Montana Mex, Campgrounds of America CEO/President and former Montana FCCLA State President Toby O'Rourke and Brooklynn Gross of FCCLA's Leadership Training Team.

Workshop sessions focused on a variety of topics including personal development, leadership training, career development, and physical and mental health resources.

While at the conference, students competed in career-focused Skill Demonstration Events testing their knowledge in personal finance, consumer responsibilities, technology, health and safety, and more.

Also held during the conference were STAR - Students Taking Action with Recognition - events, where students showcased their efforts and accomplishments in areas including career development, community service and personal growth. Events also Included student projects In areas related specifically to Family and Consumer Sciences content Including child development, nutrition and wellness, personal finance, fashion design, Interior design, and career development.

North Star students received multiple awards at the conference. Results from the competition include Gold in Job Interview, Ashleigh Barrett; Silver in Career Investigation, Ashleigh Barrett; Gold in Event Management, Ecko Fraser and Quinn Trueax; Silver in Toys that Teach, Quincy McCormick; Gold in Food Innovation, Madelyn Myers; Silver in Toys that Teach, Savannah Schaumloeffel; Silver in Repurpose and Redesign, Jordyn VanWechel.

Ecko Fraser, Madelyn Myers and Quinn Trueax will be representing North Star's FCCLA at the National Leadership Conference in July in Seattle.

Another component of the conference activities included the Montana ProStart/FCCLA culinary competitions held at Gallatin College in Bozeman. Culinary students from eight Montana schools competed in both culinary and management competitions, with industry experts critiquing their performance. The ProStart program serves secondary students In Montana schools and Is sponsored by the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation through a partnership with the Montana Retailers Association, preparing secondary students for a smooth transition into the hospitality industry.

Additional activities for conference attendees Included participation In a series of career preparation workshops, chapter leader training in the 2024-25 State Outreach Project Families First, Leadership Development from the Montana National Guard, and a Relax Room, where students learned a variety of strategies to enhance well-being. Serving others was another major component of the conference.

Participants created and donated more than 400 trail mix snack packs for clients served by Tumbleweed Runaway Program, as well as donating more than $1,200 to Montana's Farm in the Dell, offering a lifelong home in an agricultural setting for adults with developmental disabilities.

Many generous sponsorships helped to support this conference. Platinum-level conference sponsors Included the MSU College of Education, Health and Human Development, and Gallatin College MSU.

Gold-level sponsors included Montana Pork Producers, Montana Restaurant Association, Reach Higher Montana, Montana Mex, and Zwilling JA Henckels.

Sponsoring at the silver level were Montana Chamber Foundation, Montana Zero to Five, and Active Learning Labs.

Bronze level sponsors include Bequet Confections, the Montana Council for Economics Education, and Olivelle.

STAR Event sponsorships included Zero to Five Montana, Montana Pork Producers, and the Montana Financial Education Coalition.

The Montana Department of Transportation, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana, and Youth Service America partnered with the group to sponsor outreach projects.

MDT also presented the Vision Zero awards at the conference, recognizing chapters Implementing projects targeted to teens with the goal of reducing distracted driving. MDT grants provided funding for

chapters to develop these projects and also awarded cash prizes to the top three applicants.

Blue Cross Blue Shield funded local chapter grants for outreach projects through FCCLA's Financial Fitness National Program, as well as cash prizes to the top three applicants.

FCCLA members also networked with fellow youth leaders and learned more about future career and college options during the Conference Expo/College & Career Readiness Fair featuring such participants as Gallatin College MSU, the Montana Department of Labor Job Services and Career Lab, Great Falls College MSU, Reach Higher Montana, MSU College of Education, Health and Human Development, Zwilling JA Henckels, University of Providence, Miles City Community College, Helena College, Zero to Five Montana, MSU Center for Research in Rural Education, Montana Pork Producers Council, Bequet Confections, Educational Opportunity Centers, University of Montana Western, Job Corps, Montana Digital Academy, Active Learning Labs, and Success N Fundraising, LLC.

The people in attendance at the conference exemplified FCCLA's annual theme, "Experience the Ultimate Journey" and shared how they utilize the skills, experiences, and knowledge gained through FCCLA to make a difference in their families, careers, and communities.