LOCAL STUDENTS ATTEND STATE LEADERSHIP AND RECOGNITION CONFERENCE IN VIRGINIA BEACH
Culpeper- Students from Culpeper County High School (CCHS), Culpeper Middle School (CMS), Culpeper Technical Education Center (CTEC), Eastern View High School (EVHS), and Floyd T. Binns Middle School (FTB) chapters of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) recently participated in a weekend leadership training conference held April 9-12, 2026 in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Attendees participated in a weekend of workshops and sessions that challenged, informed, and motivated members and their advisers to learn more about leadership through FCCLA. Along with over 1,000 other advisers and members, Culpeper County Public Schools FCCLA chapter advisers, Laura Butcher, Lisa Frazier, Kiley Hitt, Taylor Jamison, Jennifer Mullen, Leigh Powell, Tanya Melanson, and Aly Wynham, accompanied 39 members to the meeting.
To begin the conference, nearly 700 members participated in one of 101 STAR Events, which are competitions that allow students to demonstrate proficiency and achievement in leadership and job-related skills. Students Taking Action with Recognition (STAR) Events provide members opportunities to compete either as a team or as an individual.
Culpeper County High School had 13 members participate in this year's FCCLA competition. They competed in the following events:
Emma Powell earned 1st Place and a Gold Medal in Leadership Level 2,
Alexis Claveoux, Madelyn Say, and Sydney Smith earned a Silver Medal in Focus on Children Level 2,
Alyssa Harding, Lyrica Nibblins, and Isabella Gallo Del Llamo earned a Bronze Medal in Sports Nutrition Level 3,
Claire Powell earned a Gold Medal in Leadership Level 2,
Calyse Banks and Labria Campbell earned 2nd place and a Silver Medal in Entrepreneurship Level 2,
Valeria Chinchilla, Amy Hernadez, and Olli Lam Pereza earned 2nd Place and a Silver Medal in Nutrition and Wellness Level 3.
In addition, CCHS was acknowledged for completing all seven National Programs and received a 100-plus Membership Award and recognition for helping Virginia FCCLA meet its national membership goal.
Culpeper Middle School was recognized for completing six of the seven National Programs and received a Membership Award for 100% Affiliation - Middle Level. Further, Assistant Principal Adam Pawlowski was honored with the FCCLA Virginia Association School Administrator Award for his outstanding leadership and unwavering support.
Culpeper Middle School’s 12 students participated in seven Level 1 events:
Maria Paula Fernandez Muracao and Sadie Freeman earned third place and a Silver Medal in Focus on Children.
Paige Herron, Kendall Jones, and Lia Sunday earned second place and a Silver Medal for the Food Innovations category.
Tessa Quigley, Adriana Saylor, and Alexander Shackleton earned a Gold Medal for their entry in the Repurpose & Redesign category.
Chloe Bowling earned a Gold Medal in the Interpersonal Communications category.
Casaundra Baker, Kalea Blue, and Perla Amaya Quinteros earned a Bronze Medal for their Nutrition and Wellness entry.
Culinary competitions showcase skills and hands-on techniques in a variety of areas. Culpeper Technical Education Center (CTEC) student Isabella Lowe competed in the Decorated Cakes Exhibit Level 3 and earned a gold medal and 1st place.
Throughout the weekend, Eastern View High School FCCLA was recognized for completing all seven National Programs, earned the 600+ Membership Milestone, and was presented as a Gold Level Outstanding Chapter, based on the chapter’s activities and involvement throughout the school year. Additionally, Eastern View adviser Laura Butcher was recognized for her retirement from the Virginia FCCLA Board of Directors where she served for nine years, including a term as board president.
Eastern View High School’s student members participated in the following STAR Events:
Parliamentary Procedure Level 3 – Jessalyn Gray, Ben Hodges, Reagan Houston, Lykha Lagarde, Melissa Mendez Vasquez, Samantha Schmaltz; Silver Medal and 1st Place
Sports Nutrition Level 2 – Blake Dunn; Silver Medal
Floyd T. Binns Middle School received a Membership Award for 100% Affiliation and had the following students compete in STAR Events:
Repurpose and Redesign Level 1 – Cambree Robinson; Bronze Medal
Career Investigation Level 1 – Jamie Perez Navarette; Bronze Medal and 3rd Place
Focus on the Children Level 1 – Kylah Patten and Julianna Thomas; Silver Medal
Programs in Action Level 1 – Jesus Vite Ramirez; Bronze Medal
The national FCCLA theme, “Connected”, was reinforced by Friday’s Opening General Session, in which attendees geared up for a variety of leadership training opportunities. Audience interaction through a variety of skits and games introduced members to important, character-developing information. These experiences culminated on Friday night with an interactive opportunity presented by ThinkFast Interactive. Their message, which covered necessary information for adult life, ranged from road safety to family dynamics and was conveyed through an interactive trivia activity that every member could participate in.
The Saturday morning Business Session allowed members to vote on issues relevant to the organization, including the election of state officers for the 2026-2027 school year. Members then participated in a series of workshops that focused on career exploration, leadership, and implementing effective service projects in their schools and communities. The Banquet and Evening Session that day gave members a chance to recognize individuals who support the organization throughout the year, and provided networking opportunities while exposing students to a professional environment.
Sunday’s Closing General Session included the awarding of STAR Events competition medals, trophies, and scholarships as well as the installation of incoming 2026-2027 state officers. The top winners in each of the national STAR Events competitions will have an opportunity to compete in Washington, DC, at the National Leadership Conference, July 6-July 10, 2026, against top winners from other state associations.
FCCLA is a dynamic and effective national student organization that helps middle and high school students become leaders and address important family, career, and community issues through Family and Consumer Sciences education. The organization has more than 244,000 members across the country. Since the organization’s founding in 1945, FCCLA has involved more than 10 million youth.
Family, Career and Community Leaders of America is unique among youth organizations because its programs are planned and run by members. It is the only national in-school organization with the family as its central focus. Participation in national programs and chapter activities helps members become strong leaders in their families, careers, and communities.
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