Madison High Students Earn Recognition at National Leadership Conference in San Diego

PHOTO: Madison FCCLA with national competition medals; L to R: Elena Ostapovicz, Rachel VanPelt (adviser), Harry Crafts, Meredith Huffman, Kelsey Lee, Melanie Tse (News release and photo of students and adviser courtesy of FCCLA)

VIENNA, VA -- Five students James Madison High School joined more than 8,500 Family, Career and Community Leaders of America/FCCLA student leaders, members, and advisers at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, CA July 3rd-7th to participate in the annual FCCLA National Leadership Conference.

The conference provided Madison students opportunities to come together to strengthen their leadership skills and realize their full potential through competition, career training, and workshops. The theme of this year’s conference was “Empowered”, which inspired attendees to make the right choices and commit themselves to making a positive impact within their families, schools, FCCLA, and communities.

Four Madison FCCLA members participated in three of the 30 Family and Consumer Sciences related competitive events offered at NLC. These STAR (Students Taking Action with Recognition) Events support foundational, leadership, and workplace skills in areas such as advocacy, culinary arts, and entrepreneurship. Competing with over 4,500 STAR Event participants in San Diego, Meredith Huffman earned a gold medal in Sports Nutrition, Kelsey Lee earned a gold medal in Recycle and Redesign, and Melanie Tse and Harry Crafts earned a silver medal in Food.

Another Madison student earned national recognition as one of the national scholarship winners. Elena Ostapovicz was recognized as the winner of the Frank W.H. Fort Civic Engagement/Leadership Scholarship. Ostapovicz was selected for demonstrating exemplary civic engagement and leadership in FCCLA.

Madison FCCLA adviser, Rachel VanPelt, completed her term as one of the four members of the FCCLA National Consultant Team during the FCCLA National Leadership Conference. The National Consultant Team is a network of experienced, successful FCCLA advisers with expertise in chapter management, national programs and activities, co- curricular work, membership development, public policy, and visibility.

About FCCLA 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. Madison students can participate in FCCLA through enrollment in Gourmet & International Foods classes at JMHS. FCCLA has more than 160,000 members and more than 5,400 chapters from 48 state associations, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

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. Participation in national programs and chapter activities helps members become strong leaders in families, careers, and communities.