FCCLA members head to national competition

Thursday, March 17, 2011
South Putnam FCCLA members Mellissa Scales, Emma Young and Caitlin Russel won gold in the Focus on Children senior division at the FCCLA state competition. They will move on to the national competition in Anaheim, Calif., in July.

INDIANAPOLIS -- More than 500 Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) members, advisers, alumni and guests from around Indiana gathered in March 3 to 5 for the 2011 Indiana FCCLA State Leadership Conference. Twelve South Putnam students and FCCLA adviser Kristin Scott attended the conference.

The members attending had a chance to compete in Indiana State FCCLA Projects and Students Taking Action with Recognition (STAR) events. The state projects and STAR events allow the students to demonstrate skills learned in the classroom.

Attending and competing in the conference from South Putnam were Allison Guthrie, Jessica Maginity, Ellen Richardson, Cody Warren, Kimberly Cheatham, Megan Guthrie, Caitlin Russel, Mellissa Scales, Emma Young, Mandy McFarlin, Sarah Cheatham and Nicole Hurst.

Students who competed could receive the participation, bronze, silver or gold award, and those participating in a STAR event and receiving the top score in their project qualified for National Competition in Anaheim, Calif. in July. The student placings were as follows:

* Maginity, Richardson and Warren: Entrepreneurship STAR Event, gold placing and National Qualifier;

* Russell, Scales and Young: Focus on Children Senior Division, gold award and national qualifier;

* Cheatham and Guthrie: Focus on Children Junior Division, gold award and national qualifier alternate;

Jessica Maginity, Cody Warren and Ellen Richardson of South Putnam won the top spot in Entrepreneurship STAR event at the recent state FCCLA conference.

* Guthrie: Pro-Start Culinary Competition with Area 30 Career Center, gold placing and national qualifier alternate;

* McFarlin: Job Interview STAR Event Senior Division, silver award and national qualifier;

* Hurst and Cheatham: Focus on the Basics-State Event, gold award.

"It has been my honor and privilege to watch these students work on their projects, represent South Putnam High School in the most respectful way, place high in their events and then qualify for National Competition," Scott said. "I am so proud of all of them."

FCCLA is unique among youth organizations because its programs are planned and run by members. It is the only career and technical in-school student organization with family as its central focus. Participation in state programs and chapter activities helps members become strong leaders in their families, careers and communities.

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