Pioneer Technology Center students Courtney Erickson (left) and Ashley Cross recently competed at the Oklahoma state STAR "Students Taking Action with Recognition" Events for Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA). Erickson displays the first place medal she received in Illustrated Talk and Cross holds her certificate for fourth place in the Early Childhood Competition.
Pioneer Technology Center Early Care and Education students Courtney Erickson and Ashley Cross recently participated in the 2008 Oklahoma state STAR - Students Taking Action with Recognition - Events for Family, Career and Community Leaders of America.
Erickson, a senior at Newkirk, received a gold medal in Illustrated Talk, one of 16 national STAR Events available to FCCLA students. Cross, a senior at Po-Hi placed fourth in Early Childhood. They were recognized at an awards ceremony honoring all participants at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City on April 4.
Family and Consumer Sciences Education, and its affiliated student organization FCCLA, are integral components in the CareerTech system. This national student organization helps young men and women become leaders and address important personal, family, work, and societal issues. More than 13,000 students in 430 chapters on Oklahoma high school and technology center campuses are members of FCCLA.
FCCLA’s STAR Events are based on the belief that every student is a winner. Both youth and adults work together as managers of the events and evaluators of the participants.
"Throughout the year, FCCLA members tackle issues such as teen violence prevention, traffic safety, family issues, career exploration and much more," said Denise Morris, state FCCLA adviser. "FCCLA programs enrich student learning, improve self-esteem, and serve students with a range of ability levels, economic situations, and cultural influences."
On a national level, FCCLA has more than 220,000 members and nearly 7,000 chapters from 50 state associations and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The organization has involved more than 10 million youth since being founded in 1945.
"FCCLA is unique among youth organizations because its programs are planned and run by members," Morris said. "This is the only CareerTech student organization with family as its central focus. Participation in national programs and chapter activities helps members become strong leaders in their families, careers, and communities."
FCCLA is one of seven CareerTech student organizations affiliated with CareerTech programs. The other six include FFA and Agricultural Education, DECA and Marketing Education, HOSA and Health Careers Education, Business Professionals of America and Business and Information Technology Education, Technology Student Association and Technology Education, and SkillsUSA and Trade and Industry Education.
For more information about FCCLA, e-mail Denise Morris at dmorr@okcareertech.org or call 405-743-5467. For more information about CareerTech student organizations, visit www.okcareertech.org/main/students.htm.