The students pose for a group photo.

Seven students from the Ste. Genevieve High School Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) chapter attended the Missouri FCCLA State Leadership Conference to compete and attend workshops focusing on leadership skills and career planning.

The conference was held on March 17-19, 2019, at Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage, Beach, Missouri. More than 1,600 students (grades 6-12) attended. The group’s two sponsors, Dr. Tracey Eatherton and Carrie Staffen, joined the students, as well as local chapter advisors. 
The conference featured speakers and workshops on topics such as preparing for college and careers, leadership skills, anti-bullying programs, and technology’s impact in education, careers, and on the family. In addition, more than 720 students participated in 30 competitive events, including early childhood education, entrepreneurship, culinary arts, fashion design, career investigation, chapter service learning projects and sports nutrition.

SGHS FCCLA members and seniors Kayla Steiger and Marie Bethel presented a workshop session on strategies for recruiting and engaging members. Also at the conference, freshman Drew Newman began her responsibilities as a regional officer.

Another component to the conference was STAR Events, the organization's competitive events. Junior Josie Geisner earned a silver medal for her Fashion Construction entry, and freshman Lana Kemper received a silver medal for her National Programs in Action entry. Juniors Lexi Bova and Jadyn LeClere both served as STAR Events volunteers for the event. Freshman Drew Newman completed an online entry and will advance to the national competition in Anaheim in July for her Digital Stories for Change project.

Family, Career and Community Leaders of America is a Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) for young men and women enrolled in family and consumer sciences education courses. Since 1945, FCCLA members have been making a difference in their families, careers, and communities by addressing important personal, work, and societal issues. The Missouri association ranks fifth in the nation in membership with more than 9,800 members. There are more than 320 FCCLA chapters across the state.