Twenty-eight Marlboro FCCLA members and their two advisers, along with two parent chaperones and ten esteemed guests, headed to Callicoon, on March 27 through March 29 to attend the New York State Family Career and Community Leaders of America Conference.
The student-led conference allows members across New York to meet and learn important skills for life, compete in community service based events, and meet other FCCLA members from across the state. Emily Rifkin, Margaux Snow, Jason Djaparidze, Owanya Mattis, Reneé Bergeron, Emma Feeney, Emma Greiner, Jessica Singh, Isabella Vicari, Sophia Benanti, Roselynn Burbank, Haley Collier, Sarah Mackey, and Emma Repke represented the High School chapter.
Malak Serdah, Reese Shuta, Isabella Cantone, Jae Hall-Collins, Jasen Williams, Nicole Milillo, Joe Schindler, Megan Spiconardi, Hannah Buttner, Catherine Case, Samantha Carney, Khalia Moore, Jamilyn Hadley, and Emily Case attended from the Middle School. Margaux, Renee, and Emily R. served as evaluators, Emma R. served as a room consultant for events, while the other Marlboro representatives participated in competitions at the state level with the guidance of their two advisers: Ann Marie Giacoia and Chelsea Wolfert.
The students were awarded the following medals:
Malak in National Programs in Action : Bronze
Haley and Sarah in Food Innovations: Gold*
Emma G. and Roselynn in Entrepreneurship: Bronze
Megan and Hannah in Food Innovations: Gold*
Isabella C. and Reese in Chapter in Review: Silver*
Jasen in Cupcake Decorating: Bronze
Nicole in Cupcake Decorating: Silver
Isabella V. in Focus On Children : Bronze
Sophia in Career Investigation : Bronze
Joe in Promote and Publicize: Gold*
Jae in Advocacy: Silver
Cate and Sam in Life Event Planning: Bronze
Jamilyn and Emily in Life Event Planning: Silver*
Khalia in Illustrated Talk : Silver
*Students qualified to compete at National competition as per State requirement
Additionally, Jessica was installed at the closing session as the new 2019-2020 NYS First Vice President, while Jason and Owanya ended their term as 2018-2019 NYS VP of Finance and VP of Community Service. Isabella V. and Sophia also ended their year-long role as a NYS Junior Leader.
Three members of the Marlboro community were also honored at the State Banquet. Frank Milazzo was recognized and awarded the NYS FCCLA Board of Education Award for his unrivaled support of the organization. Chelsea Wolfert received the honor of the 2019 Alumni Achievement award for her 17 years in the organization and achievements within her English teaching career. Lastly, Cindy Rifkin was awarded Honorary Membership for her countless efforts of helping the Marlboro chapter in whatever they need.
Aside from competing and fulfilling leadership duties, students attending the two-day conference were immersed in skill-based workshops, student body activities, skits by their peers, and parliamentary procedure. Marlboro students had the opportunity to gain vital information about cultural opportunities in “Japanese Exchange” hosted by 2005 scholarship recipient, Chelsea Wolfert.
They had the ability to learn about future FCS jobs through “Career Exploration,” enhance their cooking expertise in ”Culinary”, and hear from a keynote speaker, Jared Campbell, about the significance of believing in yourself and helping others find their ”white line”. In addition, Marlboro donated 266 of the 850 books to Albany Medical Center and Stony Brook Hospital as a part of the state initiative, Read To Succeed, and received the NYS FCCLA Middle Level Membership Award for their middle school affiliation.
The students and their advisors had a great three days and are looking forward to competing on the national level in Anaheim, California on June 29 through July 5!