Illinois Students Receive Top Honors at National Leadership Conference for Career and Consumer Sciences
ISBE recognizes 82 students for winning awards in 24 competitive events
SPRINGFIELD, IL — The Illinois State Board of Education recognized 82 high school and occupational school students from 21 schools across Illinois for their achievements in National Students Taking Action with Recognition (STAR) Competitive Events at the 2016 Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) National Leadership Conference. Illinois students from across the state won awards in 24 of the 29 STAR events, such as Advocacy; Applied Math for Culinary Management; Early Childhood Education; Fashion Design; Hospitality, Tourism & Recreation; Interpersonal Communication; and Sports Nutrition.
FCCLA promotes co-curricular activities that are focused on family and consumer sciences career and technical education programs. The organization aims to provide students with leadership opportunities, promote problem-solving and collaboration skills, and support college and career readiness. More than 160,000 students belong to 5,400 FCCLA chapters nationwide.
“It is so important that our students graduate from high school ready for college and career,” said State Superintendent of Education Tony Smith, Ph.D. “Programs like FCCLA strengthen the leadership, communication, and critical-thinking skills that will help students achieve inside and outside of the classroom. I am excited to congratulate these Illinois students for demonstrating initiative and success in their fields of interest.”
The national conference hosted top competitors from across the country, convening approximately 4,500 total student participants. Students learned from speakers and engaged with their peers in workshops and competitions. The theme of this year’s conference, “Empowered,” encouraged students to utilize the skills they have gained from their involvement in FCCLA to make a difference in their schools and communities.
FCCLA held the National Leadership Conference in San Diego, California, in July. The following students were awarded gold, silver, or bronze medals:
Ø Adlai E. Stevenson High School: Jamie Berman, Robin Cheifetz, Camryn Hirsch, Stephanie Martin, Madison Randol, Laura Thornburg, Lindsey Wetle, Jordan Zatz
Ø Alton High School: Emma Ernst, Kaitlyn Zini
Ø Arcola Jr./Sr. High School: Macy Trejo
Ø Bartlett High School: Allison Brown
Ø Dwight Twp. High School: Leah Flynn, Lucy Rieke, Hannah Van der Karr
Ø Glenbrook North: Zainab Ahmed, Riana Bakis, Anujin Batbold, Morgan Berg, Michael Bubaris, Megan Cho, Lizzy Donnelly, Samantha Heyman, Janet Lee, Liza McMahon, Chloe Meier, Molly Mulvihill, Grace Schwandner, Stephanie Serbu, Blake Stephenson, Benjamin Zhao
Ø Glenbrook South: Alexia Roberts, Ashley Roberts
Ø Knoxville: Maddy Grady, Darcy Ratermann, Danielle Rossell
Ø Libertyville High School: Anna Mackey
Ø Lockport Township High School: Tim Behland
Ø Maine South High School: Maggie Ek, Kristie Guercio
Ø Maine West: Quin Santucci
Ø Mount Pulaski High School: TJ Benhart, Max Coppinger, Josh Dyer, Sam Koehl, Eli Olson, Lauren Thompson
Ø Oakland CUSD #5: Erica Butler, Lauren Lankster, Taylor Veach
Ø Prospect High School: Ashna Alex, Payton Chantry, Maddie Diluia, Jordan Dushane, Abby Fleig, Paige Gillogly, Ellie Gut, Ally Harrington, Dayna Laffey, Amy Lee, Faith Lindell, Lili Schober, Hannah Trais, Hanna Walker
Ø ROWVA: Nicole Brown, Allison Chasteen, Katie England, Dylan Kuberski
Ø South Elgin: Hailey Winger
Ø St. Charles East High School: Addison Strachan
Ø St. Charles North High School: Jamie Fisher, Isabel Frederick
Ø West Aurora High School: Yarelli Hernandez, Gillian Jones, Hayley Karn, Victoria Layman, Jennifer Litt, Miracle Maddox, Miel Nelson, Cristina Valdes
Ø Wilco Area Career Center: Ryne Thacker, Lauren Turk
View the full list of winners, their schools, and their award categories online at http://fcclainc.org/programs/documents/2016IllinoisReport.pdf.
