Willapa Valley students

MENLO Chad Wheele of Menlo recently participated in STAR events (Students Taking Action with Recognition) at Family, Career and Community Leaders of Americas (FCCLA) 2013 National Leadership Conference.

Chad, who was a senior this year at Willapa Valley High School in Menlo, and is the grandson of James and JoDean Wheeler, received a Gold medal in Focus On Children, one of 31 national STAR events available to FCCLA students. His medal was presented at a recognition session honoring all participants at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center on July 11. Thousands of members, advisers, alumni, and guests from across the nation attended this meeting. About 3,600 students advanced from the local, regional, and state level of STAR events to the national meeting.

FCCLAs STAR events are based on the belief that every student is a winner. Competition, evaluation and recognition all stress cooperation as the basis of success. Both youth and adults work together to manage the events and serve as evaluators of the participants.

Chahayla Barton, a junior at Willapa Valley, represented WA-FCCLA as the 2013-14 director of recognition. Chahayla attended several sessions of Leadership Academy with other state officers in addition to the other activities at Nashville.

Throughout the year, FCCLA members tackle issues such as teen violence prevention, traffic safety, family issues, career exploration and much more. FCCLA programs and competitions enrich student learning, improve self-esteem and serve students with a range of ability levels, economic situations, and cultural influences.

FCCLA is a dynamic and effective national student organization that helps young men and women become leaders and address important personal, family, work, and societal issues through family and consumer sciences education.

FCCLA has over 200,000 members and over 6,500 chapters from 50 state associations, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.