FCCLA is a club here at HSE that uses FACS (family and consumer science) skills to compete in events. These events range from mock job interviews to interpersonal communications. The main goal of FCCLA is to prepare students for future jobs by competing in these events, building lifelong skills, and making strong leaders. HSE had students under the guidance of Miss Davis competed at state at the end of February hoping to win gold in their event and punch their ticket to nationals. Some of the students who won gold this year for HSE are Zara Mendez Vega and Abby Blackburn who competed in a team event, Miley Foy the HSE president for FCCLA, and Payton Coffer.
Abby and Zara have won gold 2 times before this, and this year was no different they placed gold in the STAR event Interpersonal Communications. In this event students show how to apply healthy communication strategies in a communication related issue. For their issue they focused on digital communication and the impact on teenagers, they created posters and social media posts as well as a presentation to raise awareness and offer solutions to the situations. Abby and Zara prepared for the competition by practicing the speeches they wrote, and by making a Canva presentation for the judges. Mrs. Davis also played a big role in making their presentation and speeches go off without a hitch. Zara really made this clear stating, “Miss Davis would always ensure our projects were perfect and gave us hints on how to stand out, such as speaking confidently and shaking the judges’ hands.” Zara said “I believe that, with Miss Davis’s help and our passion for our STAR events over the past 3 years, Abby and I have been able to receive gold each time.”
Miley Foy also won gold this year in the Job Interview event. In this event you submit a job interview application and then judges interviews the contestants like they are applying for the job. Miley used her cadet teaching background where she has learned so much from her observations to craft her 41 slide presentation. Miley said, “I have learned SO much from cadet teaching,” Miley said “so ultimately I took my observations from class as well as some of my assignments to put together my 41 slide presentation.” To finish off her preparation Mrs. Self and Ms. Davis read over her project to make sure she hit all the rubric requirements.
Last but not least Payton Coffer won gold in the Early Childhood Education event. During this event competitors demonstrate their knowledge and skills related to working with young children. They make lesson plans and present activities designed for early learners while explaining how the activities support child development. To prepare for her event Payton spent time researching childhood development and learning effective strategies for young children, she did this through classes here at HSE and online research. Coffer then practiced these presentations so she was ready for state. Payton also qualified for nationals this year and is preparing for them right now, she said, “I am reviewing feedback from the judges, making improvements to my lesson plan” coffer said, “and practicing my presentation to ensure that I can deliver it clearly and confidently.”
FCCLA continues to prepare students for their futures weather its practicing communication skills or preparing for careers. With the support of teachers like Ms. Davis and hard work of dedicated students such as Abby Blackburn, Zara Mendez Vega, Miley Foy, and Payton Coffer, HSE’s FCCLA program continues to thrive.
