The Marlboro Family, Career and Community Leaders of America club [FCCLA], is a national career and technical student organization. The Middle and High school chapters in Marlboro are growing and continue to attract new students into the fold.

Last week Middle School English Teacher Chelsea Zehnacker invited her FCCLA students to give a presentation to the Board of Education on who they are and what they do. She added that FCCLA is “near and dear to my heart,” as she recalled being a member when she was in school.

Middle School FCCLA President Ava Vicari said the organization, “gives you the ability to take leadership and to work on your social skills. We take part in many fundraisers and community service projects where we have to talk to people and make real world connections, but the thing I love most about FCCLA is how once you join you’re in this family and that’s what FCCLA focuses on most – family.”

A video showed that FCCLA, “is changing the lives of more than 160,000 members every year with opportunities to participate in competitive events for chances to win scholarships, to network and forge friendships with other youth leaders, travel the nation and experience a huge variety of cultures and communities, makes a positive impact in our own communities and develops real world skills that prepare you to be college and career ready.”

Middle School FCCLA VP, Laila Vega, said the club is open to Middle and High School students as long as they take the Family and Consumer Sciences course.

“We also host many different fundraisers like Paint Night, a Take Me Home Pet Rescue, helping the Hudson Valley Walkway and much much more,” she said. “FCCLA can help with many daily tasks such as public speaking, how to cooperate with others, learning leadership qualities and travel opportunities just to name a few.”

Samantha Carney, who is the VP of Public Relations and Peer Education, said she handles all of the social media that keeps everyone informed on a state-wide level.

“I work side by side with the President on the newsletters and we are doing blogs this year, which are fun little snippets of each month from the officers,” she said.

Jackie Rivera is VP of Community Service and Competitive Events, “both of which I am very passionate about.” She is involved in the state project that this year is called ‘Leave a Legacy in Your Community.’ For Events, Rivera is in charge of Students Taking Action with Recognition or Star Event Ceremonies, “so people would get different medals, bronze or gold and get State and National recognition.”

Natalie Terwilliger is FCCLA’s VP of Public Relations.

Hayden Kozlik and Ava Todisco gave a preview of upcoming events; on November 1 all Hudson Valley chapters of FCCLA will be coming to the Marlboro Middle School; there will be a competitive bingo night; a STAR training meeting, making crafts, holding a team building exercise and making a promotional video for the Walkway Over the Hudson.

The Marlboro chapters will also be attending the FCCLA National Conference in Denver, Colorado, “where students who get a good enough grade on their state projects will be able to present them to the national level. They will be able to make a new one of a similar type or present their old one.” The students will also be attending a state conference at the Villa Roma Resort in Callicoon, where New York chapters of FCCLA will come to showcase their services and participate in workshops for three days.

Todisco concluded by saying, “I’ve been to state conferences on Leadership and I can honestly say that these have taught me so much and made me grow as a person.”

Superintendent Michael Rydell concluded by praising the FCCLA students, adding, “great presentation everyone.”