Columbiana Middle School joined more than 7,500 FCCLA student leaders, members, and advisers at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA June 28 – July 2 to participate in the annual FCCLA National Leadership Conference (NLC).

The conference provided Columbiana Middle students opportunities come together for energizing learning while listening to inspiring speakers, expanding leadership skills, sharpening talents, and exploring career pathways. The theme of this year’s conference was “Inspired by FCCLA”, which inspired attendees to make the right choices and commit themselves to making a positive impact within their families, schools, FCCLA, and communities.

Tanner Stogner and Denisen Justice from CMS participated in one of 30 Family and Consumer Sciences related competitive events offered at NLC, including STAR (Students Taking Action with Recognition) Events and the FCCLA/LifeSmarts Knowledge Bowl. These events support foundational, leadership, and workplace skills in areas such as advocacy, culinary arts, and entrepreneurship.  Competing with over 4,500 STAR Event participants in Atlanta, Tanner Stogner and Denisen Justice achieved Gold Medals in the Illustrated Talk Event with their competition piece “The Oncoming Storm” which addressed the issue of peer pressure in schools.

“Our National Leadership Conference was a great success this year, with a record-setting attendance of over 7,500 members, advisers, partners, and guests. During the past week, we’ve watched thousands of students come together and realize their full potential through competition, career training, and workshops. The relationships developed and training experienced during this conference has empowered students to go into their schools and communities and make a difference, bringing with them the values and passions FCCLA brings to our members,” said Sandy Spavone, executive director of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America.

About FCCLA

Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (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 more than 160,000 members and more than 5,300 chapters from 49 state associations, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

FCCLA: The Ultimate Leadership Experience is unique among youth organizations because its programs are planned and run by members, and it’s the only career and technical in-school student organization with a central focus on family.  Participation in national programs and chapter activities helps members become strong leaders in families, careers, and communities.