Beech Tree News Network

More than 7,000 nationwide members, advisers, alumni, and guests of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), gathered in Nashville, Tennessee, July 7-11 for the 2013 National Leadership Conference. Eleven Butler County High School students and one adviser were among this group.
    This year’s student-originated theme for the annual national meeting was “Discover Your Voice” 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, future career exploration and countless community service projects.
    Butler County High School’s FCCLA was well represented with two state winning Parliamentary Procedure teams.  Both teams earned a Silver Medal for their hard work on the test and performance portions of the Parliamentary Procedure Competition. The Senior Team missed only two points on the performance portion of the assessment.  The BCHS Parly teams would like to thank all of the incredible sponsors including the Butler Board of Education for their support in making it possible to represent Butler County at this leadership meeting and competition.

Junior Parliamentary Procedure Team members are:  Haley Ford, Shelby Austin, Caitlin Coleman, Erica Daugherty and Delania Payton.  Senior Parliamentary Procedure Team members are:  Matthew Embry, Haley Adkins, Kassie Phelps, Kortney Barbier, Molly Sanders and Callie Dockery. (pictured above) Adviser Kimberlea Embry accompanied both team to nationals. 
    Other meeting highlights included:
•    Over 3,600 students competed in STAR Events (Students Taking Action with Recognition) which are competitive events that build proficiency and achievement in leadership and job-related skills.
•    A donation of $85,639.88 was presented to Share Our Strength from National FCCLA to fight childhood hunger. In addition, over $2,000 in school supplies was donated to the LP PENCIL Box

•    Spotlight on Projects, where representatives from states share successful national, state, or chapter projects.

    Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), is a dynamic and effective national student organization that helps young men and women become leaders and address important personal, family, work, and societal issues through Family and Consumer Sciences education. FCCLA has 200,000 members and over 5,500 chapters from 50 state associations, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The organization has involved more than ten million youth since its founding in 1945.
    FCCLA: The Ultimate Leadership Experience is unique among youth organizations because its programs are planned and run by members.  It is the only career and technical in-school student organization with the family as its central focus.  Participation in national programs and chapter activities helps members become strong leaders in their families, careers, and communities.