FCCLA members attend national conference in Omaha, Neb.
Youth from the Peabody-Burns chapter of Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) participated Nov. 12-14 in a leadership conference in Omaha, Neb.
Attendees participated in a weekend of training and sessions that challenged, informed, and motivated members and advisers to become leaders through FCCLA. Along with more than 1,700 other members and advisers, Peabody's FCCLA chapter adviser, Cathy Silvers, accompanied three members to the meetings.
Those attending from Peabody were Rachel Womack, Sarah Peaugh, and Krista Stafford.
Guest speaker Josh Shipp made a meaningful and empowering connection with the young audience while inspiring them to rethink and react. He also was successful in reinforcing the FCCLA "Anything But Ordinary" theme in the opening session.
Saturday involved training in FCCLA's peer education programs of Career Connection/Leaders at Work, Community Service, FACTS (Families Acting for Community Traffic Safety), Families First, Japanese Exchange Program, Star Events, STOP the Violence, and Student Body/Financial Fitness.
Other training included presentations about FCCLA's membership campaign, "Be Part of It!" and taught members how to spread the word about "FCCLA: The Ultimate Leadership Experience" by using a new Brand FCCLA Kit.
Members also had the opportunity to attend a viewing of the HBO family documentary, "SMASHED — Toxic Tales of Teens and Alcohol." This film reminds youth about the devastating impact of teens drinking and driving and underage drinking. Attendees participated in pre- and post-viewing evaluations and were encouraged to take this cautionary tale back home to the youth in their communities.
Keynote speaker Rhett Laubach closed the meeting with a high impact motivational message, "Extraordinary Leadership," designed to kick personal leadership IQ into high gear.
Omaha, Neb., was one of four FCCLA nationally sponsored training conferences this fall. National cluster meetings are designed to allow students and teachers to take advantage of high-quality training opportunities. Meetings also were held in Washington, D.C., Nashville, Tenn., and Salt Lake City, Utah.
