For our readers who might be unaware of what FCCLA is as a student organization, will you tell us a little about it?

Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America is a CTSO (Career and Technical Student Organization) that is focused around Family and Consumer Sciences. FCCLA helps students apply the principles found in Family and Consumer Sciences to competitive events, professional roles, and community outreach, all with the goal of achieving personal growth and leadership development.

Would you share your story of how you became involved in FCCLA?

My FCCLA journey has been the ultimate leadership experience. I started by opting into a Foods and Nutrition class my freshman year, unaware of FCCLA's existence. My teacher convinced me to join FCCLA, and from the moment I joined, I began to see immediate growth. I gained confidence and speaking ability by applying knowledge of nutrition from my class to a competitive event, garnering a national gold placement during my freshman year. One thing led to another, and I took leadership roles within my chapter and region. I saw a further opportunity to run to be a state officer at the beginning of my junior year and seriously questioned my ability to achieve it but pursued it anyway. I don't think my freshman self would believe she is now the State President of an organization, but my involvement in FCCLA has transformed me for the better.

What are some of your duties as FCCLA State President?

As the FCCLA State President, I wear many hats, all necessary for the betterment of our state. I have chaired State Executive Council meetings, spoken at Kentucky FCS events, planned and hosted a leadership training camp for students, and developed a State Leadership Conference for the upcoming spring. Although I am quite busy at times, I am always supported and uplifted by the work of the rest of the Kentucky FCCLA State Executive Council. Madison Upchurch, Hollie Hagan, Emily Greenwell, Emma Argo, Erin Emmert, Brady Hargett, Allen Williams, Nevaeh Petrarca, and Priscilla Holzhause all deserve to be recognized for their hard work. I may carry some individual duties, but the bulk of the work is shared by our team, all working with a common purpose, and for them I am grateful.

What do you tell other students about the organization and how they can become involved?

When I speak to students about FCCLA, I think the leadership speaks for itself. Students in my community see the events FCCLA puts on, the conferences we attend, the recognition we receive. When you have something that special, you want to be a part of it. I tell students the way it is- joining FCCLA is transformative. The first step towards involvement is joining your chapter, and from there, so many members take off. I encourage FCCLA members to find their potential using STAR (Students Taking Action with Recognition) Events, completing state degrees, and participating in our eight national programs. When there are so many options for members to excel in, involvement is easy.

What are some of the most important things you have learned being involved in FCCLA?

What haven't I learned from FCCLA? Each time I wear my red blazer, I step into the "real world." I've learned to bear responsibility, network, and to trust the process. Without FCCLA, I would not have the professional experiences that prepare me for my future. What started with learning in the classroom led to empowerment in many assets of my life, and for my advisers RaAnn Miller, Tori Coyle, Laura Moffett, and Amy Harris, I am thankful.

Do you find yourself being somewhat of an advocate for Career and Technical Education?

Before I began in FCCLA, I'm not sure I could properly tell you what advocacy is. Now I consider it a privilege to advocate on behalf of Career and Technical Education. With my position as a state officer, I was able to recently attend Capitol Leadership, an advocacy training in Washington D.C. for FCCLA members. I was able to meet with the office of Senator McConnell and advocate on behalf of FCCLA and CTE classes, and this experience was life changing. I believe that with any type of platform comes the responsibility to advocate for the institutions that elevated you to that level of power. FCCLA has been my outlet throughout high school and for this reason I advocate on its behalf, but I would be remiss to not mention the work of fellow CTE educators and organizations. No matter what organization a student belongs to, they are equipped for their future through career and technical education. I am amazed by the work of FFA, HOSA, FBLA, DECA, and so many more CTSOs with a shared goal- to help students like me.

What are your plans for the future and how has being involved in FCCLA helped to shape those plans?

I am proof that students outside of a CTSO's designated career pathways can directly benefit from their time in a student organization. I intend to do work in education and public policy. Although these fields are not directly related to FCS curriculum, I would not have envisioned myself as an educator without seeing firsthand the influence that education has on lives. Whether I'm lecturing in a classroom or working for the Department of Education in our nation’s capital, I want the power of education that I have seen through Career and Technical Education to shape my future for years to come.

Kentucky Farm Bureau is very committed to supporting education throughout the state. How important are the relationships FCCLA has with organizations like Farm Bureau?

FCCLA cannot thank Kentucky Farm Bureau enough for their continued support of education. Without partnerships like this, the organization would not achieve nearly as much as it does. Thank you!