Madison Contreras

Writer

Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) officers rediscover the meaning of FCCLA, by attending the annual LEAD conference that was held, this year, at the Great Plain Technology Center in Lawton, Oklahoma.

Marlow High School students have been attending the LEAD Conference ever since FCCLA adviser Tamra May started teaching at Marlow in 2014.

May explained that Marlow attendance at the LEAD Conference keeps them connected to state-wide initiatives.

“Attending the Lead Conference is beneficial in being able to know what new things FCCLA is involved in statewide. We hear from state and district officers and their program of work for the year,” said May. “We can take that home to our chapter and build on it throughout the year. It keeps us relevant and building relationships with other chapter officers.”

MHS FCCLA Vice President Olivia Cantwell agrees with May that she learned ideas that can be brought back to the Marlow chapter.

After attending a class about FCCLA’s competitive events, known as STAR Events (Students Taking Action for Recognition), Cantwell explains how she can teach Marlow members about what she learned.

“It taught me a new method of preparation for STAR Events that I could show the members of FCCLA because I am the STAR coordinator for this year,” Cantwell said. “I feel that with the skills that I learned and the method that they taught us, I could take that and revamp it to fit Marlow’s chapter to help others succeed at STAR events.”

Noting what she retained from the class “Are You a Responsible Officer,” Publicity Officer Maddison Hise described why she feels the officers attend the conference each year.

“The Lead Conference helped me in my officer position to become a better leader, and it taught me a lot of things, like being on time for a job interview or going to work,” said Hise. “I also feel it helped the MHS Chapter officers to become better leaders altogether and become a better team to lead our members.”

As the year advances, MHS will continue to see how the FCCLA officers grow and develop new leadership skills and methods to better themselves, along with the other members.