Local Student Wins Gold in “Teach & Train” at FCCLA National Conference
More than 5,000 nationwide members, advisers, alumni, and guests of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), gathered in Washington, DC. July 4-10 for the 2015 National Leadership Conference. Anna Walker, a senior at Pickens High School was among them.
This year’s theme for the annual national meeting was “Together We Are Healthy.” The organization hosted a rally on Capitol Hill to showcase support for Family and Consumer Sciences education and celebrate 70 years of youth career preparation and leadership. The rally featured special guest speakers and the largest performance ever of the “GimmeFive Dance” created by First Lady Michelle Obama to promote healthy lifestyles, which was in keeping with the FCCLA national conference theme. Throughout the five-day convention, participants examined and discussed several critical issues, including family, school, and community violence prevention, physical as well as financial fitness, and future career exploration.
Over 3,000 students competed in various STAR Events (Students Taking Action with Recognition) which are competitive events that build proficiency and achievement in leadership and job-related skills. After winning in Georgia’s FCCLA state competition earlier this year, Miss Walker was a representative at the national level in the category of “Teach & Train.” This is an individual event where the participant demonstrates her ability to explore and experience the career of teaching and training.
Miss Walker prepared a portfolio of the teaching/training career, prepared and executed a complete lesson plan and an oral presentation. She also completed a shadowing experience of a “best practices” educator. She shadowed Mrs. Suzie Fowler, a veteran kindergarten teacher from Jasper Elementary School last year as part of Pickens High’s Work-Based Learning Program. From this experience she gained knowledge in observing children, curriculum standards, classroom management, accommodating diverse learning styles, cultural values, and the ethical standards of teaching.
As part of her award for this accomplishment, Miss Walker enjoyed many of the places of interest in Washington which included: Arlington’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, 4th of July fireworks at the National Mall, George Washington’s Mount Vernon, Washington National Cathedral, GeorgeTown Cupcake, Moonlight Monument Tour, Smithsonian Institution, National Archives and Records Administration, The United States Holocaust Museum, and a couple of upscale restaurants while in DC.
This marks the 70th anniversary for FCCLA. This organization has involved more than 10 million youth since its founding in 1945 as the Future Homemakers of America (FHA). The name changed in 1999 to symbolize its modern focus on leadership and career preparation while also honoring a foundation in preparing both men and women to have strong families, successful careers and to be community leaders. Today, the organization’s program focus includes financial management, career planning, leadership development and community service, while also meeting the increasing need for highly trained employees for culinary, hospitality, early childhood, and fashion/interior design industries.
FCCLA: The Ultimate Leadership Experience is unique among youth organizations because its programs are planned and run by members, and it’s the only career and technical in-school student organization with a central focus on family. FCCLA has 200,000 members and more than 5,500 chapters from 49 state associations, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
Pickens High School’s FCCLA Advisers: Mrs. Sue Gibbons and Mrs. Joan Rutledge
More than 5,000 nationwide members, advisers, alumni, and guests of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), gathered in Washington, DC. July 4-10 for the 2015 National Leadership Conference. Anna Walker, a senior at Pickens High School was among them.
This year’s theme for the annual national meeting was “Together We Are Healthy.” The organization hosted a rally on Capitol Hill to showcase support for Family and Consumer Sciences education and celebrate 70 years of youth career preparation and leadership. The rally featured special guest speakers and the largest performance ever of the “GimmeFive Dance” created by First Lady Michelle Obama to promote healthy lifestyles, which was in keeping with the FCCLA national conference theme. Throughout the five-day convention, participants examined and discussed several critical issues, including family, school, and community violence prevention, physical as well as financial fitness, and future career exploration.
Over 3,000 students competed in various STAR Events (Students Taking Action with Recognition) which are competitive events that build proficiency and achievement in leadership and job-related skills. After winning in Georgia’s FCCLA state competition earlier this year, Miss Walker was a representative at the national level in the category of “Teach & Train.” This is an individual event where the participant demonstrates her ability to explore and experience the career of teaching and training.
Miss Walker prepared a portfolio of the teaching/training career, prepared and executed a complete lesson plan and an oral presentation. She also completed a shadowing experience of a “best practices” educator. She shadowed Mrs. Suzie Fowler, a veteran kindergarten teacher from Jasper Elementary School last year as part of Pickens High’s Work-Based Learning Program. From this experience she gained knowledge in observing children, curriculum standards, classroom management, accommodating diverse learning styles, cultural values, and the ethical standards of teaching.
As part of her award for this accomplishment, Miss Walker enjoyed many of the places of interest in Washington which included: Arlington’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, 4th of July fireworks at the National Mall, George Washington’s Mount Vernon, Washington National Cathedral, GeorgeTown Cupcake, Moonlight Monument Tour, Smithsonian Institution, National Archives and Records Administration, The United States Holocaust Museum, and a couple of upscale restaurants while in DC.
This marks the 70th anniversary for FCCLA. This organization has involved more than 10 million youth since its founding in 1945 as the Future Homemakers of America (FHA). The name changed in 1999 to symbolize its modern focus on leadership and career preparation while also honoring a foundation in preparing both men and women to have strong families, successful careers and to be community leaders. Today, the organization’s program focus includes financial management, career planning, leadership development and community service, while also meeting the increasing need for highly trained employees for culinary, hospitality, early childhood, and fashion/interior design industries.
FCCLA: The Ultimate Leadership Experience is unique among youth organizations because its programs are planned and run by members, and it’s the only career and technical in-school student organization with a central focus on family. FCCLA has 200,000 members and more than 5,500 chapters from 49 state associations, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
Pickens High School’s FCCLA Advisers: Mrs. Sue Gibbons and Mrs. Joan Rutledge