Seven Marlboro FCCLA members and their two advisers ventured to Anaheim, California on June 29 through July 5 to attend the National Family Career and Community Leaders of America Conference.

The student-led conference allows members across The United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands to learn important skills for life, compete in community service based events, and meet other FCCLA members from across the country. Over 8700 students were in attendance, the largest conference yet! Jason Djaparidze, Emma Greiner, Jessica Singh, Emily Rifkin, Sarah Mackey, and Haley Collier represented the High School chapter. Joseph Schindler also attended from the Middle School.

Four students served as volunteers at the National level, while three of the Marlboro representatives participated in the STAR competitions with the guidance of their two advisers: Mrs. Giacoia and Miss Wolf.

The students were awarded the following medals: Joseph in Promote and Publicize: Gold; Sarah and Haley in Food Innovations: Gold

Additionally, Jessica Singh continued her journey as the 2019-2020 NYS First Vice President. She had the honor of representing New York State FCCLA by carrying the NY flag across the stage, giving out award pins on the national level, and serving as voting delegate during the business session where amendments were proposed and voted on.

Aside from competing, students attending the seven-day conference were immersed in skill-based workshops, Red Talks (similar to TED Talks) from expo participants, skits by their peers, parliamentary procedure, and amendment/bylaw changes. They watched keynote and guest speakers such as cardboard enthusiast: Kyle Scheele, the Dude Be Nice campaign, and various culinary demonstrations. Students also gained important knowledge in workshops on: the Japanese exchange program, the dangers of nicotine, “EndtheStigma” of mental health, career and community connection, physical fitness, finance, and traffic safety. Jason, Joe, and Sarah chose to “Run4Red” and enter the FCCLA National 5k at Angels’ Stadium.

The group was also able to strengthen their familial bond as a chapter by spending a day celebrating their achievements in Disneyland.

Family, Career and Community Leaders of America is a nonprofit national career and technical student organization for young men and women in Family and Consumer Sciences education in public and private school through grade 12. Everyone is part of a family, and FCCLA is the only national Career and Technical Student Organization with the family as its central focus. Today over 175,000 members in more than 5,300 chapters are active in a network of associations in 49 states, in addition to the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Involvement in FCCLA offers members the opportunity to expand their leadership potential and develop skills for life -- planning, goal setting, problem solving, decision making, and interpersonal communication -- necessary in the home and workplace.