January/February 2016 by FCCLA

Magazine for Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, Inc.

Also inside...

• Spotlight on Programs: FACTS in Action • Couch-to-5K® with National FCCLA • Lead2Feed: A Service Focus

January/February 2016

Empowered to Lead What does it truly mean to demonstrate and encourage leadership? Read on to find out more...

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Inside

January/February 2016

8. 22.

6. Partner

Power!

14.

Features

6 Leadership Resources That Will Empower YOU to Lead! 11 Youth Leadership Journeys 17 Taking the Risk to Lead

Regulars 2 NLC Update: 2016 San Diego, CA 4 Executive Director’s Note 5 Hello from the National President 8 Spotlight on Programs: FACTS in Action 9 It’s a Date! 10 Safe Rides - Save Lives: FCCLA PSA Contest 12 Class Acts 14 Red Jacket, Red Hot Future 15 Couch-to-5K® with National FCCLA 16 FCCLA Week: Our Chapter’s Plan 18 NCM Wrap Up 20 Go For the Red 21 Steps to Success in STAR Events 22 Partner Power 24 FCCLA Leadership Academy 25 Social Media Roundup 26 FCCLA in Action 27 FCCLA Faces 28 Spot the Changes Photo 29 FCCLA/LifeSmarts Knowledge Bowl 30 Lead2Feed: A Service Focus

Teen Times is the national magazine of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, a career and technical 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, or as determined by the state department of education. Josh Bowar, Editorial Consultant Ashley Pournaras, Layout/Design NATIONAL STAFF Sandy Spavone, Executive Director Beth Carpenter, Director of Programs Leah Buller, Director of Membership Marla Burk, CMP, Director of Conferences Mark Hornby, CPA, Director of Finance Aimee Hardenbergh, Meetings Manager Ashley Pournaras, Communications Manager Charles Carson, Mailroom Manager Christine Hollingsworth, Competitive Events Manager Heather Davis, Partnership Manager Karen Patti, Programs Manager Ana Torres, Staff Accountant Chiquita Boston, Affiliation and Registration Coordinator Caitlin Osbourne, Communications and Membership Assistant Kelley Conners, Meetings and Programs Assistant Kim South, Executive Assistant Family, Career and Community Leaders of America is a private, nonprofit national organization of more than 155,000 members incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia. It functions through public and private secondary school systems in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands as an integral part of the Family and Consumer Sciences education program, providing opportunities for enriched learning. Editor’s Note: Please credit Teen Times for information you reprint, excerpt, or photocopy. Use the following statement to credit materials you use from this issue: Reprinted with permission from Teen Times, the national magazine of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, Vol. 70, No. 3. Teen Times (ISSN 0735-6986) is published four times per year in September, November, January, and March by Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, Inc., 1910 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191-1584, (703) 476-4900. A portion ($4.00) of national dues pays for a one-year subscription to Teen Times. Inclusion of an advertisement does not constitute an endorsement of the advertiser’s claims, products, and services. Periodicals postage paid at Reston, VA, and additional mailing offices. Additional annual subscriptions for non-members: $8.00. POSTMASTERS: SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: Teen Times, 1910 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191-1584.

FCCLA Mission

To promote personal growth and leadership development through Family and Consumer Sciences education. Focusing on the multiple roles of family member, wage earner, and community leader, members develop skills for life through character development, creative and critical thinking, interpersonal communication, practical knowledge, and career preparation.

January/February 2016 www.fcclainc.org Teen Times 1

NLC Update! 2016 | San Diego | CA

The heart of every city lives in its downtown, and San Diego is no exception. San Diego is renowned for its idyllic climate, 70 miles of pristine beaches, and a dazzling array of worldclass family attractions, including the worldfamous San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park. San Diego’s thriving downtown districts offer an expansive variety of things to see and do, all accessible by foot or by trolley. San Diego promises a truly remarkable National Leadership Conference experience for everyone! Join more than 7,000 FCCLA student leaders, member, and advisers in San Diego, CA, on July 3-7, 2016, at the FCCLA National Leadership

Conference. NLC provides opportunities for students and advisers to come together to hear inspiring speakers, expand leadership skills, and explore career pathways. The FCCLA theme for this year’s conference is “Empower” and speaks to making the right choices and committing yourself to making a positive impact within your family, your school, FCCLA, and your community. Attendees will focus on leadership opportunities to address traffic safety and financial literacy, as updated versions of the national programs FACTS and Financial Fitness are released. KEYNOTE SPEAKER Josh Shipp (AKA “The Teen Whisperer”) was a foster kid, class clown, rebel without a clue, and troublemaker. He was written off, kicked out, and every adult’s worst nightmare – until one caring adult stepped into his life. NOW he is an awardwinning youth speaker, the author of the national bestseller The Teen’s Guide to World Domination, and was listed on Inc. Magazine’s 30 under 30 list.

Present a Workshop at NLC this Summer! We invite all members to submit a workshop proposal for the 2016 National Leadership Conference. All proposals must be submitted online by following this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/ r/2016NLCWorkshopProposalForm. By featuring youth presenters like you, FCCLA empowers members to share ideas and successful projects, engage in problem solving, enhance presentation skills, and meet new people from across the nation. The deadline for submission is Monday, April 1, 2016.

2 Teen Times www.fcclainc.org January/February 2016

TOURS FCCLA will offer a variety of fun and entertaining tours in San Diego at the National Leadership Conference. You can sign up for these tours when registering for the conference. Tours may sell out, so sign up early! Check the national FCCLA website to view full descriptions and fees for the tours.

Safari Park Step foot inside the zoo Safari Park and you’ll be transported to one of the most exotic places on the planet. Unlike any other zoo, this amazing safari adventure park is home to thousands of animals roaming together on the vast, open plains. The Safari Park is an expansive wildlife sanctuary that is home to more than 2,600 animals representing more than 300 species. Its renowned botanical collection represents 3,500 species and 1.5 million specimens. By Sea By Land Make a SPLASH! Experience San Diego as it was meant to be appreciated: by land and sea! Your 90-minute, fully narrated SEAL Tour will wind your way through picturesque San Diego streets before splashing down for a cruise through the waters of San Diego Harbor. Here you will learn first-hand of our rich military history and cruise through the waters that are the playground of the California Sea Lion. Following the tour, you’ll be dropped off at the one and only USS Midway. Commissioned a week after the end of World War II, the USS Midway embarked on an unprecedented 47year odyssey that set new standards in naval aviation.

San Diego Zoo This 100-acre zoo is home to over 3,700 rare and endangered animals representing more than 650 species and subspecies and a prominent botanical collection with more than 700,000 exotic plants. It is located just north of downtown San Diego in Balboa Park and has repeatedly been voted the #1 zoo in America! A Night at the Improv We’ll start our evening with dinner, and then it’s off to the main event. You’ll take part in a hilarious, audience-interactive comedy competition between two teams of professional comedians who perform a series of improvisational comedy scenes, all based on suggestions from the audience. You will be part of the audience which picks games, calls fouls, and ultimately decides which team is the evening’s winner.

San Diego City Tour / Balboa Park & Maritime Museum A year-round mild climate, seventy miles of beaches, and a myriad of recreational activities are just some of the reasons why San Diego has been deemed, “City with Sol”. The tour will take you to Coronado, the Historic Gaslamp District, Balboa Park, Old Town State Historic Park, and the Maritime Museum of San Diego. The museum has one of the world’s finest collections of historic ships, including the world’s oldest active ship, the Star of India, and both a Russian and American submarine that you can view.

January/February 2016 www.fcclainc.org Teen Times 3

Executive Director’s Note Greetings, FCCLA! The last couple of months have really been busy with National Cluster Meetings, getting into the swing of the school year, and learning more about what it means to empower yourself and others. And I hope that you’ve been enjoying every minute of it. I know that I have! This issue’s theme is all about empowering ourselves and others to lead. What does it truly mean to demonstrate and encourage leadership? FCCLA is, after all, The Ultimate Leadership Experience. How can we live that out each day through what we say and do? Sometimes the concept of leadership can feel overwhelming, with our thoughts turning to doubt regarding whether or not we can truly make a difference as just one person. I think that Edward Everett Hale sums up very well what we should be thinking: I am only one, But still I am one. I cannot do everything, But still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do. So what is it that you can do? What can you do as a leader to make a positive impact in your family, school, and community? I encourage you to do some self-reflecting this month related to your skills and abilities. Then I encourage you to set goals based on what you discover. How can you continue to grow as a leader so that you can empower others to lead? As always, I look forward to serving with you in the coming months of the FCCLA year. I encourage you to start making plans for STAR Events, the National Leadership Conference, the IMPACT Fund, and all of the other ways that you can develop leadership through FCCLA, the organization we share. I’d love to hear from you as you continue on your journey to becoming the best leader that you can be. Empowered to Lead,

Sandy Spavone 4 Teen Times www.fcclainc.org January/February 2016

Hello National President from the

Hello, FCCLA! Welcome to 2016. With a new year in full swing, we often reflect on the previous 365 days (or 366 if it’s a leap year like this year). We evaluate our accomplishments and failures, what worked for us and what didn’t. Then we take those evaluations and make resolutions to improve ourselves.

member to your next chapter meeting. Every new member is valued in our organization! And while you’re at it, find a potential donor that is willing to give to the IMPACT Fund. These funds are used to grant individuals and chapters financial resources for projects and programs that support our organization.

In the past year, FCCLA has celebrated many successes. We had nearly 8,000 attendees at our 70th anniversary celebration at the 2015 National Leadership Conference, our national program Student Body was updated and is stronger than ever, and the NEC initiated a new grant program - the IMPACT Fund. To uphold the successes we saw in 2015, the National Executive Council has also set its own goals for the organization. Our program of work focuses on two areas: membership and the IMPACT Fund.

So, FCCLA has set its sights on achieving huge goals this year. What about you? The key to resolutions is to not give up on them on January 2nd. Use your leadership skills to take the next step in your FCCLA journey. Participate in a new project, chair your own event, run for an office - the possibilities are endless. Aim high, and don’t stop until you make your dreams a reality.

Through promoting the new Go For the Red membership campaign and strengthening national-level recognition campaigns, we want to increase our national membership to 165,000 by using the 3 R’s of membership: recruit, retain, and recognize. To help us out, take out your cell phone and invite a non-

Empowered to Lead,

National President

January/February 2016 www.fcclainc.org Teen Times 5

LEADERSHIP RESOURCES THAT WILL EMPOWER YOU TO LEAD!

As leaders, we’re always thinking of ways to help others strive for success. With our national theme EMPOWER, we should also understand that the power to affect change lies within ourselves. In order to achieve our greatest potential, it’s important to reflect on our strengths and challenge the skills we need to improve. Reading Dr. Sean Covey’s book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens is a great way to begin the journey of learning to be an effective FCCLA member, leader, and team player. His book outlines seven important practices that can be applied to any aspect of life. Each chapter contains true-to-life stories that are very relatable. Here’s a quick summary before you buy the book:

HABIT 1: BE PROACTIVE.

This is the opposite of being reactive. Rather than doing something out of emotion, it’s important to take a second and think about the outcome. You might not be able to control what happens around you, but you do have the power to control the way you respond.

HABIT 2: BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND.

Book Review: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey Article by Raniel Mendoza, National Vice-President of Parliamentary Law

6 Teen Times www.fcclainc.org January/February 2016

What do you want to get out of this task? Think about the bigger picture and imagine the result. Keeping this in mind, construct a step-by-step plan that will help you create the best product you can make.

HABIT 3: PUT FIRST THINGS FIRST. This habit is all about prioritizing and organizing tasks to make sure you are completing assignments (or any daily activities) in a concise way. If you’re one to get your nails done before starting that project due tomorrow, this habit might be a focus for you.

HABIT 4: THINK WIN-WIN.

Leadership is about learning how to collaborate in such a way that everyone will benefit from working together. Sometimes compromise is necessary. After all, there is no “I” in “team”.

HABIT 5: SEEK FIRST TO UNDERSTAND AND THEN TO BE UNDERSTOOD.

Communication is a two-way street. Before you suggest an opinion to someone who disagrees with you, make sure that you fully understand his/her motives. It’s important that you take time to listen and then talk.

HABIT 6: SYNERGIZE.

When working with others, picture a puzzle. One person’s weakness might be another person’s strength. In order to turn the jumbled pieces into a beautiful masterpiece, you have to make the puzzle pieces fit.

HABIT 7: SHARPEN THE SAW. Dr. Covey says this is the habit of self-renewal. It’s important to take time every now and then to remember why we are passionate about the things in which we take interest. There are four parts to a person: spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional/social, and each part needs nurturing.

Check out these resources gathered by the National Executive Council that will help you become the best leader you can be! PREZI A great alternative to PowerPoint, Prezi is a free program that enables users to make presentations movable and multidimensional. Making great presentations is just one of the many jobs of a leader. CONSTANT LEADERSHIP BLOG http://conantleadership.com/blog/ Check out this great leadership blog! The author of the blog is Doug Conant, former CEO of Campbell’s Soup. He also tweets with the handle @DougConant YOUTUBE CHANNEL: MATEUSZ M This channel is filled with motivational videos. One popular video is “Unbroken”, which is all about making a change even when you get knocked down. TED TALKS TED Talks are great videos to help you think in innovative ways. They also have some great speakers who highlight leadership. THE VERSATILE LEADER A book written by Bob Kaplan with Rob Kaiser YOUTUBE VIDEO: “THIS IS WATER” by David Foster Wallace https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=0lu2e-q8ntM TJ SULLIVAN STUDENT LEADERSHIP BLOG http://intentionaltjs.com/blog/ LEADERS EAT LAST A book written by Simon Sinek START WITH WHY A book written by Simon Sinek 3 STEPS GREAT STUDENT LEADERS TAKE http://kentjulian.com/3-steps-greatstudent-leaders-take/ LEADERSHIP IS AN ART A book written by Max Dupree

January/February 2016 www.fcclainc.org Teen Times 7

Spotlight on Programs: FACTS in Action By Rohit Iyer, National Vice-President of Finance

Flashback to July 1994. Partnering with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, FCCLA introduces FACTS (Families Acting for Community Traffic Safety) as a national program. Its aim is to reduce unsafe driving habits among teenage drivers, and since that year, teenage deaths caused by motor vehicle crashes have reduced by more than 40% overall. However, motor vehicle crashes continue to be the leading cause of deaths among adolescents worldwide.

promoted Red Ribbon Week, a national drug awareness campaign. The theme of the campaign was “Respect Yourself. Be Drug Free.” Posters were hung up around the school and teachers handed out stickers that encouraged everyone to stay away from substance abuse, especially behind the wheel. Chapter members used the first unit of FACTS, Think SMART, which focuses on keeping youth from driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

Members of the John P. Stevens High School (JPS) FCCLA are working to combat the effects of the 4 D’s of unsafe driving: drunk, drugged, drowsy, and distracted. Through combining FACTS with activities for National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS), a partner organization of FCCLA, JPS FCCLA is helping everyone learn the FACTS about teen safe driving.

JPS FCCLA’s campaign will culminate in a teen safe driving summit this coming spring, and they will work alongside many other FCCLA members and chapters across the nation to make teen driving tragedies a thing of the past. How could you incorporate FACTS or another FCCLA national program into your chapter’s program of work?

FACTS empowers members to create projects that encourage sober driving, seat belt use, safe driving habits, being an advocate for driving safety, and discussion among teens and adults about the importance of driver education and safety. From October 23-31, JPS FCCLA members

Congratulations to the Harrisburg FCCLA Chapter, South Dakota, on their recent win of $100,000 from the State Farm 2N2 Campaign. State Farm’s Celebrate My Drive asks all drivers to think 2n2: 2 eyes on the road and 2 eyes on the wheel. To get the word out about the campaign, students created a video showcasing the importance of safe driving. With this win, the school will receive $100,000 towards programs and projects in the community.

8 Teen Times www.fcclainc.org January/February 2016

It’s a Date!

Make sure to get these important 2016 dates and deadlines on your calendar!

FEBRUARY

MARCH continued...

MAY continued...

1st

4th

2nd

National Leadership Conference Early Bird Registration Those with state meetings taking place after April 25th have an automatic extension until May 18th.

Affiliation and Registration Deadline for Online Level 1 STAR Events Master Adviser Mentor Applications due to State Adviser

7th-13th

National FCCLA Week

Membership must be paid for the following: ·· National Officer Candidates ·· National STAR Events Eligibility ·· Online Program Award Application

National Leadership Conference Workshop Proposal Submissions Due

5th - 18th

15th

2016 Summer Intern Applications Due to National Office

National STAR Events Registration (With added $100 late fee)

APRIL 1st

MARCH 1st

Program Award Applications: ·· Career Connection ·· FACTS (Families Acting for Community Traffic Safety) ·· Families First ·· Financial Fitness ·· Leadership Service in Action ·· Power of One ·· STOP the Violence (Students Taking on Prevention) ·· Student Body

Scholarship Applications: ·· Beth Middleton Memorial ·· Coleen Jossy Memorial Fund ·· Frank W.H. Fort Civic Engagement/Leadership ·· National Technical Honor Society ·· Prestige ·· Raye Virginia Allen State President’s Leadership Training Team Applications due for 2016/17

FCCLA/LifeSmarts Knowledge Bowl Level III Registration

18th

NOC Intent to Run Form Adult Award Deadline

National Leadership Conference Housing

15th

NOC Intent to Run Form Deadline Extension Request

National STAR Events Registration (States with Competitions on or after April 25th)

30th

Program Award Winners Posted on FCCLA Website Scholarship Winners Announced Membership Campaign Award Submission Due

JUNE 1st

National STAR Events Registration (With added $200 late fee) Final Affiliation Deadline

25th

MAY 1st

National Leadership Conference Name Change/Substitution/ Cancellation

NOC Application Nominating Committee Form Affiliation Deadline for National STAR Events Participation

JULY 3rd - 7th

National Leadership Conference

January/February 2016 www.fcclainc.org Teen Times 9

Safe Rides-Save Lives: FCCLA PSA Contest EMPOWERED BY FCCLA AND FACTS SPONSORED BY STATE FARM

fcclainc.org/saferides-savelives

1 $3,500 2 $1,000 3 $500 ST PLACE

ND PLACE

RD PLACE

10 Teen Times www.fcclainc.org January/February 2016

Youth Leadership Journeys Life is filled with twists and turns, forks in the road, and surprises. It’s a journey, not a destination, one that we share as leaders in FCCLA. So where has your journey taken you so far? And what can we learn while we’re traveling together? See what you can discover from two FCCLA leaders by reading about their leadership journey.

myself, but now looking back on it, I have learned so much. Had I won, I would not have been able to be a voting delegate and been inspired to run for a national office. It was through this experience I learned that there is no such thing as failure. Each opportunity we get in FCCLA, whether it goes the way we plan or not, empowers us to gain strength and opens more doors for new opportunities.

ALLYSON MONSON, NATIONAL FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT

My advice to others is to remember that sometimes what we think is best for us is not the direction we will go. The road to success is a winding one that gives more time for adventure and opportunities to grow.

Throughout my FCCLA journey, I have been faced with challenges, gifted with opportunities, and fueled by passion. Being a type A personality, I always felt each stepping stone along the way had to go as planned and that steering off the ideal path would only cause failure in leadership and opportunities. I clearly remember one of the times I went off the ideal course. It was my sophomore year, and I had decided to not only run for a state office, but also compete in the STAR Event Teach and Train. After months of perfecting my portfolio, and practicing hours and hours, I knew my project was the best I could possibly make it and truly believed I would win the top spot and represent South Dakota at NLC. Unfortunately, my vision didn’t become a reality, and I received second place, missing the first place spot by 3 points. At the time, I was heartbroken and upset with

So hang on tight, and don’t let go. Enjoy the highs AND the lows.

STEPHANIE ZHANG, NATIONAL VICE-PRESIDENT OF COMPETITIVE EVENTS When entering high school, many students have no idea what the future has in store. Where will I find my passion? What college will be in my future? Which major will inspire me? What career pathway will match my talents?

Looking back now on my high school career, FCCLA helped me to become so much more than I ever anticipated. If you‘d told me my freshman year that I would be a leader in an organization with over 150,000 members, I would never have believed it. Participating in events like Fashion Construction, being a member of the Competitive Events Advisory Team, networking with youth and adults, and being a state and now national officer helped me discover my niche, the places where I belong. I advanced my career skills and improved my communication techniques while developing a personal leadership style. FCCLA gave me direction in my life. In a time of confusion, teenage angst, and discovery, FCCLA guided and molded me into the youth leader that I am today. Through my experiences in this organization, I am now determined to study fashion design, all because I found and cultivated my passion for fashion in FCCLA.

Four short years of diverse FCCLA experiences revealed to me many unique interests and passions. I discovered FCCLA my freshman year through my fashion class and dove right into it, trying to get as involved as I could in FCCLA chapter and state activities. January/February 2016 www.fcclainc.org Teen Times 11

We’re excited to introduce a new feature article that will show up in Teen Times. “Class Acts” is all about our fantastic FCCLA advisers and highlights what they’re doing to help FCCLA succeed and advance the Family and Consumer Sciences field. Check out this issue’s class acts!

I use every opportunity to speak about the relevance of FCS curriculum to parents and students, focusing on the personal satisfaction I get from being an FCS teacher and FCCLA adviser. I accept pre-interns and interns when the opportunity presents itself. And I allow pre-interns to interview me for their CTE curriculum development courses to gain insight into being an FCS teacher and FCCLA adviser.

WHAT FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES CLASSES DO YOU TEACH?

WHAT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OR RESOURCES DO YOU USE TO STAY CURRENT IN THE SUBJECT MATTER THAT YOU TEACH?

Cody

Child Development Services, Culinary I & II, FACS Essentials

Lisa

Consumer Education, FCCLA Exploration A/B, Food and Nutrition, Parenting and Child Development A/B AS A FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES INSTRUCTOR, WHAT DO YOU DO TO PROMOTE AND FURTHER THE PROFESSION?

Cody

The biggest way that I can promote the profession is to show my students how passionate I am about the organization and the classroom. When they see that we are so dedicated to our content, it becomes fun for them, and they get excited. I encourage students to follow detailed career pathways to earn college credits and guide them through the steps to get into the profession. Our state also hosts an “I Said Yes to FCS University” where our high school students can attend a weekend summit to learn more about the profession.

12 Teen Times www.fcclainc.org January/February 2016

Lisa

Cody

I love to network with other advisers and teachers. The best ideas are right in our own classrooms. In addition, I travel to the national, state, and regional FCCLA conferences yearly to gain resources for teaching FCCLA in the classroom. I’m very excited to be attending a culinary boot camp this year to get some hands on experience in a college culinary lab!

Lisa

I attend the Family & Consumer Science Educators of Michigan Annual Conference each year to network with other FCS teachers from Michigan, to gain professional development, and to learn about new (or revised) resources available to FCS teachers from educational vendors. I actively participate in FCS department and district professional development, sharing and receiving ideas, resources, and classroom management techniques.

Cody Mooneyhan

Lisa Boulding

Warren Central High School, Kentucky

HOW DO YOU INCORPORATE OR INTEGRATE FCCLA IN YOUR FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES CLASSROOM?

Cody

Students are often completing FCCLA tasks in the classroom. We use the Step One webquest to introduce FCCLA to our students. In addition, all students in FCS will complete a Power of One goal setting project, learning how to set SMART goals. Our classes are performance based, so students must complete a cumulative project for their final grade. These projects are all STAR Events and are graded using the rubrics provided on the web. Students can see other project ideas and sample presentations online to help them. FACS Essentials students complete a project that reflects one of the national programs. This year, we participated in service learning, and the students are going to paint the computer lab and redo the bulletin boards around the building.

Lisa

I developed and implemented a new FCS course this year: FCCLA Exploration. It runs the first two of the three trimesters. FCCLA Exploration A focuses on the history of FCCLA at a local, state, and national level, national programs, and the basics of building a program of work for the school year. FCCLA Exploration B focuses on competitive events, leadership roles within the organization, and parliamentary procedure. I also use STAR Events as performance-based assessments. I feel that STAR Events help provide relevance to classroom learning by allowing the learner to incorporate issues and concerns that are important to them.

Kalamazoo Central High School, Michigan

WHAT IS YOUR CHAPTER’S FAVORITE FCCLA PROJECT OR ACTIVITY?

Cody

Right now, our chapter is gearing up to assist the growing homeless population in our community. This is one of the biggest activities we do in the winter months. We are planning to work with local shelters to provide food for the food banks, we are placing scarves and gloves and hats around areas where homeless reside to assist with weather conditions, we are serving sack lunches through a local church, and we are collecting socks to hand out for the winter months.

Lisa

Our chapter’s favorite FCCLA activity is participating in community service by partnering with the City of Kalamazoo’s Parks and Recreation department (KPRD). Throughout the year, KPRD hosts a series of annual events that focus on providing safe, family-friendly events for the children in our community. Our chapter works with KPRD to provide the “manpower” to help these events take place. These events include a harvest festival, a Halloween party, the annual lighting of the trees, and the annual candy cane and Easter egg hunts. Our students love working the children and their families.

January/February 2016 www.fcclainc.org Teen Times 13

Red Jacket, Red Hot Future

“

The leadership position pushed me just enough to show me that I could...

Through their involvement in their families, careers, and communities, members are empowered to envision what their futures may hold. We want to highlight members who use their opportunities in the red jacket to prepare for a red hot future! In this edition of “Red Jacket, Red Hot Future”, meet Jannelyse Allred, a student from Maple Mountain High School in Spanish Fork, Utah. What is your favorite FCCLA experience? In October 2014, I had the chance to go to New York City with several other FCCLA members from my school. The focus was to learn about textiles, clothing design, and fashion merchandising. We toured backstage at Broadway theaters and learned about costume design. We met with an haute couture designer and saw his creations made with hair

”

extensions or vintage uniform buttons. We learned from magazine editors who learn to predict clothing trends for their readers and visited a museum that showed how theater design in ballet costumes influences everyday fashion design. We also visited with professionals who make their living sourcing and importing denim fabric worldwide or studying how current events influence the development of new textiles and clothing innovations. For example, Jackie Kennedy’s clothing was often made from fabrics that were developed as part of the space program, a current event happening in her day. Once you learn how to pay attention to fashion trends, you start to see how this year’s clothing fashions will start to affect next year’s home decor trends, which change furniture and then appliance trends, and it goes on and on. You never think there’s much to learn in a profession until you meet

14 Teen Times www.fcclainc.org January/February 2016

an actual professional in that industry and hear the extent of their knowledge. There’s always something new to learn! What advice would you give a new FCCLA member to ensure that they get the most out of their FCCLA journey? Don’t be afraid to do things that you think you are too shy or too “average” to do! FCCLA is such a great opportunity to meet new friends, often ones that can last for a lifetime. Get involved by going to all of the activities, serving in every way you can, and meeting lots of new people. You can learn so much about yourself and become your own leader. How has FCCLA empowered you? My junior year, I served in an FCCLA leadership position that forced me to step out of my comfort zone and be more outgoing. I realized that it was a lot more fun getting to know

Image by Christian Ferrari

Couch-to-5K® with National FCCLA The winter months are definitely here. While you may want to hibernate and curl up with some hot cocoa and warm soup, you can still be working on your transformation from couch potato to race runner! Check out some tips below for staying in shape and on track during the colder winter months. Stay Hydrated: If you’re going to exercise during the winter months, the cold makes you feel less thirsty, but your body still needs hydration to replace fluids lost during exercise. Drink your water!

other members that I wasn’t already friends with. I learned that I was capable of being a good example and that I had enough courage in me to befriend people and make them feel welcome. I wasn’t afraid to walk up to people and introduce myself. I wasn’t afraid to be myself around strangers. The leadership position pushed me just enough to show me that I could, that it was fun, and that it was rewarding. What’s next for you? Next, I plan to graduate from Maple Mountain High School and attend college (likely at Brigham Young University). I’m interested in human and child development and serving an LDS mission.

Warm-Up: With the colder temperatures, it’s important to take a few extra minutes to loosen your joints and muscles. If you’re going to exercise outdoors, try to complete your warmup inside and really focus on your leg muscles. Keep to a Schedule: If you’re just beginning a 5K plan, remember to ease in gradually to the program. Keep to a schedule of working out/ running three times a week, and space out those days during the week. Each day should only take 20-30 minutes! Set a Goal: Set a race goal in the spring or early summer to keep you motivated! And just like the FCCLA Planning Process, make sure to form a plan and then act! What better goal than to Run4Red at the FCCLA National Leadership Conference in San Diego, California?

January/February 2016 www.fcclainc.org Teen Times 15

FCCLA Week: Our Chapter’s Plan What will you be doing for National FCCLA Week, February 7-13? Brainstorm as a chapter to come up with meaningful, fun ways to celebrate all things FCCLA! Check out http://fcclainc.org/news--media/ fccla-week.php for lots of ideas for each day of the special week, and make sure to also include your own. Meet as a chapter to put together a plan. How can you empower yourself and others through your leadership? Monday, February 8 – “Media Monday” (media outreach/media blitz) – EMPOWERED TO RAISE OUR VOICES Our Chapter’s Plan:

Tuesday, February 9 – “Team Tuesday” (partner advocacy) – POWER OF PARTNERSHIP Our Chapter’s Plan:

Wednesday, February 10 – “We Wear Red Wednesday” (member pride/member recognition) – TURNING “ME” INTO “WE” Our Chapter’s Plan:

Thursday, February 11 – “Thankful Thursday” (#WhyWeLoveFCCLA) – HOW HAS FCCLA EMPOWERED YOU? Our Chapter’s Plan:

Friday, February 12 – “FACS Friday” (In support of Family and Consumers Sciences education and “Say Yes to FCS”) – EMPOWERING FUTURE GENERATIONS Our Chapter’s Plan:

16 Teen Times www.fcclainc.org January/February 2016

Taking the Risk To Lead by Monica Jones, National Vice-President of Development

Leadership. You hear the word over and over, but do you truly know what leadership means? What leadership feels like? Woah, did I just include that you can actually feel leadership? Yes, yes I did because I believe you can feel the leadership within you, stirring like some sort of stew. Taking the risk to lead sounds…well…risky. Leadership is a roller coaster ride that is worth the ups and downs and occasional loop-de-loops. Our national theme is all about taking the risk to lead as students and empowering those around us to take the risk to become leaders.

This school was unfamiliar with FCCLA and Family and Consumer Sciences but was excited to learn and start a new adventure with a new chapter as well. As most high school seniors wouldn’t dream of having to make that decision, it was a risk I had to take. FCCLA had become one of my deepest passions, and being able to “rock the red” in a new school with my adviser was something I was more than willing to do.

Leadership is risky business, but the guarantee of success is there, one way or another, even if the success wasn’t what you had anticipated. It’s been said, “Take risks: If you win, you will be happy; if you lose, you will be wise.” There’s no winning or losing, only knowledge to be gained.

I have made unforgettable memories in my new high school and have great friends. The outcome of this risk I took was absolutely stunning. Over one-third of the student body has joined our brand new chapter, and it continues to grow! Of course, I had no idea how the students were going to respond to a new student the last year of high school or how many members we would have as a first-year chapter. Being unsure of the outcome is what makes a risk a risk. Serving as a leader of one of the best career and technical student organizations, this was a risk I was willing to take.

I took a risk my senior year by following my FCCLA adviser to start a new chapter in a new school.

Now, of course I am not saying that you should take the risk of switching schools your senior year to

start a brand new FCCLA chapter. I’m also not saying that every experience taken with a risk will be as successful as hoped. Maybe conducting a service project, competing in a STAR Event, or running for office is a leadership risk you’ve been considering. Maybe even participating in a service project is a risk. Regardless, it’s a risk worth taking on the journey to becoming a strong leader. When you take the risk to become the leader you were meant to be, it is in this moment you feel true leadership. Always remember: the outcome of taking a risk to lead is unknown, and with the unknown comes unexpected greatness.

January/February 2016 www.fcclainc.org Teen Times 17

2015 National Cluster Meetings: Wrap Up NCM Dallas by Josh Sorbe, National President

We all know that everything’s bigger in Texas, and this year’s Dallas National Cluster Meeting was no exception! Over 2,500 attendees experienced two packed-full days of leadership development sessions, competitive events, and inspiring messages. Beginning our year’s theme of “Empower”, the conference revolved around empowering others to become healthy, fit, real, and resilient. Seeing the excitement and eagerness of the general session when I was at the podium, I can definitely say that members were empowered at the National Cluster Meetings this year. We were challenged to step out of our comfort zones and take initiative by keynote speakers Kent Julian and “Cometry”, which is exactly what our members did. In fact, 80 members decided to demonstrate their talents in a Skill Demonstration Event or the FCCLA/LifeSmarts Knowledge Bowl. The national officers in attendance conducted a “Meet and Greet with the NEC” fundraiser and raised $791.35 for the IMPACT Fund. And finally, members collected a generous number of items for the Dallas Food Pantry, promoting our National Outreach Project Lead2Feed. We hope that those who attended are incorporating the resources they received into their chapters, empowering those who didn’t attend. After seeing the success of our National Cluster Meetings, I’m anticipating a fantastic National Leadership Conference in San Diego this July! 18 Teen Times www.fcclainc.org January/February 2016

NCM Indianapolis by Rohit Iyer, National Vice-President of Finance

Some came west over the Appalachians to the central United States, and some journeyed east over the Rocky Mountains to the Midwest. No matter how they traveled, over 1,400 FCCLA members, advisers, and guests met in Indianapolis, Indiana, for the 2015 National Cluster Meeting! From November 20-22, FCCLA members gathered in Indianapolis to EMPOWER themselves and learn to use their “mepower” to spread the energy in their families, schools, and communities. The conference included exciting workshops, inspirational speakers, and awesome competitive events. The conference kicked off on Friday with the opening general session. Members cheered on one of their peers, Valerie Barnhart from Ohio, as she sang the national anthem. The national officers also introduced the updated Student Body program as the focus of their skit with characters who each represented one of the four units (The Healthy You, The Fit You, The Real You, and the Resilient You) and competed in Survivor: The Student Body Edition, hosted by the last officer. The rest of the day included workshops, networking events, and the start of the FCCLA/ LifeSmarts Knowledge Bowl competition. Friday evening, the first keynote speaker, 20-year old Shane Feldman, spoke to conference attendees about “The 5 Hashtags of Life”. Shane’s charity, Count Me In, works to raise awareness worldwide about the importance of strong mental health among teenagers.

Saturday was full of leadership development, friendly competition, and a ton of fun! Members were recognized for their participation in 11 Skill Demonstration Events, and six chapters emerged victorious in the FCCLA/LifeSmarts Knowledge Bowl as qualifiers for the 2016 NLC in San Diego. At the closing general session, the “Amazing” Tei Street entertained conference attendees with her fun and informative tips about how to survive adolescence and emerge amazing. And the conference special event, ComedySportz Indianapolis, kept members laughing and cheering with their mix of comedy, sports, and improvisation. Over the course of the conference, FCCLA sold raffle tickets to support the IMPACT Fund, an initiative of the NEC designed to support FCCLA and Family and Consumer Sciences by providing opportunities for members to take action and to perpetuate a legacy that exemplifies our purposes and initiatives. Five lucky members got a chance to have a meet and greet with the NEC and go backstage before the closing general session. We raised $256 in Indianapolis and a total of $1,047.35 from both conferences for the IMPACT Fund. The 2015 Indianapolis National Cluster Meeting was an ultimate success. We can’t wait to see how FCCLA members and advisers continue to empower themselves this year and at the 2016 National Leadership Conference in San Diego, California!

January/February 2016 www.fcclainc.org Teen Times 19

Let’s all make sure to Go For the Red! This year’s national membership campaign provides incentives for members and chapters working to increase membership. It’s time to work together to share our great organization with others across the nation. Let’s spread The Ultimate Leadership Experience! Go For the Red empowers students to recruit, retain, and recognize members. INDIVIDUAL AWARD Individual winners will be based on the most members recruited in specific school size categories.

School Categories: Small School: 250 students or less Medium School: 250-1000 students Large School: 1000 students or more Prizes include $200 cash, a $50 FCCLA Store voucher, and recognition at the 2016 National Leadership Conference. CHAPTER AWARD Chapter winners will be based on the largest percentage increase in chapter membership. Prizes include $250 cash, a $50 FCCLA Store voucher,

a feature in Teen Times, and recognition at the 2016 National Leadership Conference. STATE AWARD State winners will be based on the largest percentage increase in the number of Youth Scholarship applicants, Adult Award applicants, National Program Award applicants, and state membership numbers. The state winner receives a plaque and recognition at the 2016 National Leadership Conference. The deadline for individual and chapter awards is April 30, 2016. For more information and to apply, visit the Membership Campaign page on the national website: www.fcclainc.org. Now get out there and Go For the Red!

20 Teen Times www.fcclainc.org January/February 2016

Steps to Success in STAR Events Each year, thousands of FCCLA members start a STAR Event project. As with many other activities, not everyone who starts a project finishes one. So how can you be one of the finishers? Here are some steps to success to keep in mind that can help you reach your STAR Event goals!

S U C C E S S

Select your goal and event. Do you want to work independently or with a group? Are you most interested in a project that relates to your future career, or something that you happen to be passionate about? What event helps you meet your goals?

Understand your event. Each event has its own set of eligibility and criteria. Be sure you understand the guidelines. If you’re not sure, ask for help from your local or state adviser.

Create a plan of action. The best way to plan your event is to use the FCCLA Planning Process. This tool will help you identify concerns, set a goal, form a plan, act, and follow up.

Complete the job(s). An incomplete job means an incomplete project. Completing the tasks and steps you set up earlier will help you reach the most positive outcome.

Expect obstacles. Things happen, schedules change, and plans don’t always move along as you thought they would. Being flexible and making adjustments as you go along will help you keep the stress of a project to a minimum.

Simplify! As you finalize your display or portfolio, remember that “more” doesn’t always mean better. While you do need to include the required items for your event, knowing when to choose quality over quantity will help those who view your project see the main points, rather than get distracted by “bells and whistles”. Shine! Practice your presentation, and when it’s time to compete, take a deep breath and let your hard work shine. If you’ve made it to the competition, you’ve already won against doubt and insecurity. Whether you receive a bronze, silver, or gold rating, you finished, and that’s an accomplishment to be proud of!

January/February 2016 www.fcclainc.org Teen Times 21

r e n t r Pa

! r e w o P

In the spotlight now: FCCLAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Student Body partners. FCCLA partners with a wide variety of organizations, associations, universities, and corporations that share similar core values. These partnerships provide resources, guidance, and support and assist FCCLA to continue traditions of providing personal growth and leadership opportunities to youth. We really appreciate our partners because they help us move FCCLA forward. Thanks to all of our partners and sponsors for your continued support!

22 Teen Times www.fcclainc.org January/February 2016

Thanks for helping us stay healthy, fit, real, and resilient!

THE FOUNDATION FOR ADVANCING ALCOHOL RESPONSIBILITY

The Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility (Responsibility.org) leads the fight to eliminate drunk driving and underage drinking and promotes responsible decision-making regarding beverage alcohol. Responsibility.org’s Ask, Listen, Learn program was developed alongside a team of educators and psychologists specializing in middle school-aged students and is the most widely-distributed program of its kind. Underage drinking has decreased 59% and conversations between parents and kids have increased 62% since the program’s inception. www.responsibility.org @AskListenLearn HOME BAKING ASSOCIATION

The Home Baking Association (HBA) mission of “growing the practice of home baking” could not be more timely due to economic conditions and other societal changes. The fact is more meals are being prepared at home, and this organization is at the forefront in providing food skillbuilding tools and knowledge to current as well as future generations of bakers. Thanks to teen leaders and adult partners, more people have learned about HBA resources than ever, keeping the nonprofit’s momentum strong. www.homebaking.org @HomeBaking

THE PRODUCE MOM The Produce Mom is a passionate advocate for the fresh produce industry by inspiring families to eat more fruits and vegetables, introducing consumers to produce brands, and rallying the produce industry to converse with the consumer. The Produce Mom educates consumers on how to select, store, and serve fresh produce through various platforms, including an online recipe directory, blog posts, the Produce Mom Picks® initiative in grocery stores, social media, partnerships with fruit and vegetable suppliers, and television appearances. www.theproducemom.com @TheProduceMom USDA - WHAT’S SHAKING? Creative Ways to Boost Flavor with Less Sodium The USDA provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues based on public policy. USDA’s initiative What’s Shaking? Creative Ways to Boost Flavor with Less Sodium is a national collaborative sodium reduction initiative to foster creative ways to boost flavor and maximize taste to support efforts to lower the sodium content of school meals. Reducing sodium in school meals is an important part of a broader effort to scale back sodium intake for all Americans. www.healthymeals.nal.usda.gov/ whatsshaking @TeamNutrition

January/February 2016 www.fcclainc.org Teen Times 23

FCCLA Leadership Academy

The FCCLA Leadership Academy develops leadership, employability, and 21st century skills and gives members the opportunity to be recognized for their personal growth efforts. FCCLA Leadership Academy is developed by FCCLA for all FCCLA members to take intensive academies as part of their ultimate leadership experience.

Did you miss out on the Discover Academy at the National Cluster Meetings in November? Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t worry! The FCCLA Leadership Academy is offered at the National Leadership Conference and can be purchased for your state meeting.

Offered at National Leadership Conference ENGAGE The Engage Academy strengthens leadership skills used to unify people through communication, collaboration, and conflict management. LAUNCH The Launch Academy enhances skills that will build a foundation for FCCLA members to prepare to successfully launch into their future through theory and practice of strategic planning, critical thinking, decision-making, and innovation.

State Package Options DISCOVER The Discover Academy guides FCCLA members in their own leadership and character development and educates them on the organization and opportunities to get involved. ENRICH The Enrich Academy provides FCCLA members with a wellrounded training to enhance individualsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ability to positively represent the organization as both a member and alumnus by cultivating essential leadership and life skills. For more information about Leadership Academy, visit: http://fcclainc.org/youth-leaders/ leadership-academy.php. Take your leadership to the next level. Empower yourself by joining The Leadership Academy! 24 Teen Times www.fcclainc.org January/February 2016

/NationalFCCLA

Facebook @LifeSmarts : Scene from the Quiz Bee Competition at #NCMDallas. Off to an exciting start in the FCCLA LifeSmarts Knowledge Bowl! @Shane Feldman : Had the most incredible time speaking in Indianapolis to 1000+ youth representing dozens of states at FCCLA’s #NCMIndy. What a fantastic event!

/NationalFCCLA

Twitter @ray_knee_yell : A HUGE “thank you” to @TheProduceMom and IndyStyle TV for having me on their show this morning!

/NationalFCCLA

@GeorgiaFCCLA: The FCCLA team in Stockbridge is one out of 5 winners of $5,000 worth of technology products from the #Lead2Feed Student Leadership Program!

FCCLAinc.org/blog

Instagram @strafford_fccla: Today 31 Strafford FCCLA members combined to log a total of 37 volunteer hours in the community. Thanks for donating your time, energy, and money to a great holiday cause. #RedKettleReason #fccla #volunteer

NationalFCCLA1945

@virginiafccla: The members of Justin Hess’s #FCCLAfamily were proud to wear these red and white #FCCLA ribbons at his funeral this afternoon. It was a beautiful service. He will be missed.

January/February 2016 www.fcclainc.org Teen Times 25

FCCLA...In Action

Want to be featured in FCCLA In Action? Email your story to communications@ fcclainc.org for consideration, and include photos of your event.

Perry High FCCLA Perry High FCCLA held a traditional candlelight officer installation ceremony. Each officer was installed to a different position of leadership and prestige, with FCCLA members ready to accept their responsibility and uphold the integrity of their newly-election position. Advisers handed over the gavel to the president and got ready to kick off another amazing year of FCCLA at Perry High School.

River View High School River View High School in Finley, WA, gathered their 21 members and headed off to this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual Washington Region 8 meeting. Members greeted other chapters and attended fun workshops. Balloon popping, trivia games, good food, and the whoops and hollers of the FCCLA state cheers all made the meeting fun and a success!

Effingham Academy FCCLA In honor of Farm to School Month in October, the Effingham College and Career Academy FCCLA, in conjunction with the culinary arts class, participated in the Golden Carrot Awards, which empowers students to develop a project that promotes eating, growing, and participating in carrot-themed activities. Students taught the pre-k class about growing vegetables and healthy eating. Using the book Up, Down, and Around by Katherine Ayres, the pre-k students learned about vegetables that can be planted and grown in the ground. The students then had an opportunity to taste baby carrots and were able to plant their own in a rainbow carrot garden in a raised bed set up by members in the pre-k play yard. The garden was added to the pre-k chore chart, and each day specific students are in charge of watering the garden. The garden is already sprouting, and it soon will have rainbow carrots ready to pick and eat. ECCA FCCLA won 2nd place in the Golden Carrot Awards for this project.

Hazelwood West High School Hazelwood West High School FCCLA of St. Louis, Missouri, hosted a talent show fundraiser. Fourteen acts featured students, a teacher, and some future Hazelwood West students from the elementary schools. Over 300 people attended the talent show, and a total of $288 and 282 canned goods were collected. All donations went to Hazelwood Baptist Church for their food pantry.

26 Teen Times www.fcclainc.org January/February 2016

FCCLA Faces

What does empowering to lead mean to you?

We asked FCCLA members and advisers from across the country this question. Check out their answers below. What would you say? “Empowering to lead means enabling others by giving them a voice and platform. Leading starts with listening.” Traeton Dansby, Oklahoma FCCLA Vice-President of Public Relations

“Empowering to lead means to equip one with the skills needed to effectively oversee or lead others on the correct path.” Amanda Watson, Kalamazoo Central High School FCCLA Member

“Empowering to lead means using the leadership skills that you’ve personally developed throughout your life and helping others to develop those skills. It’s not about helping yourself. It’s about helping the people around you and your community as a whole.” Madison Dugger, Brookland High FCCLA Member

“As high school students, we will feel like we have so much to do in so little time. That can lead to losing motivation. Whether we’re chapter officers or the President of the United States, we need to step up and take the lead and become empowered. We are the leaders of tomorrow, and we need to show others that, as FCCLA members, we are the future.” Jacob Just, Minnesota FCCLA State President-Elect

“Empowering to lead means educating yourself on issues and blowing past your goals. Empowered leaders may not know everything, but we do know people who are experts in an area and we gain knowledge from them to build strong teams of students who will become successful in their endeavors.” Tracy Pittman, Adviser “Empowerment isn’t just about power. It’s taking responsibility and stepping up to make a change because you see that something needs to be done. As a leader, I don’t just pull power from within. I see that others depend on me as I help them to be better and to become more.” Adrienne Cofield, Coffee High School FCCLA Member

“As an adviser, empowering to lead means I am helping my students discover their ability and talents to become servant leaders within their family, their community, and their future careers.” Lisa Boulding, Adviser “Empowering to lead means to take action for your team or chapter, to make a connection for your team, and to show responsibility while you lead your team.” Kendra Garth, Tanner High School FCCLA Member

January/February 2016 www.fcclainc.org Teen Times 27

Answers: FCCLA patch moved to other side of jacket, skirt changed to grey, ascot stripes changed to blue, Laura Taylor added in, bottom jacket button removed, jacket pin removed

28 Teen Times www.fcclainc.org January/February 2016

What differences can you find between the two images below?

Spot the Changes

FCCLA/LifeSmarts Knowledge Bowl Congratulations to the FCCLA/LifeSmarts Knowledge Bowl National Championship qualifiers! During the Level 1 competition at the 2015 National Cluster Meetings, 12 teams qualified to compete in the 2016 FCCLA/LifeSmarts Knowledge Bowl National Championship in San Diego, California. Congratulations to the following teams! • Adair High School, Oklahoma • Anna High School, Ohio • Boyle County High School, Kentucky • Brookings High School, South Dakota • Dwight High School, Illinois • East Central High School, Indiana • Frankfort High School, Kansas • Houston High School, Georgia • John P. Stevens High School, New Jersey • Parkston High School, South Dakota • Selah High School, Washington • Wabaunsee Senior High School, Kansas

Teams who were registered to compete at the National Cluster Meeting but didn’t qualify at the meeting now have the opportunity to secure one of four additional slots in the “Second Chance Round”. Competition through the online testing process takes place January 1-31, 2016 at www.lifesmarts. org. Four teams with the highest scores earn the final four national-qualifying spots. In addition, this will determine alternates if any of the Level 1 qualifying teams decline their NLC invitation. ALL teams (whether currently qualified or attempting to grab one of the final four spots) are encouraged to compete during this time in the online testing. The highest scoring FCCLA chapter receives a $2,500 stipend to represent FCCLA at the National LifeSmarts Championships in Denver, Colorado, April 9-12, 2016. Good luck, teams!

January/February 2016 www.fcclainc.org Teen Times 29

by Garrett Christiaens, National Vice-President of Programs Why should we Lead2Feed? What is it? How can we get involved? Lead2Feed is a leadership program helping to mold service-minded leaders for the future. It helps address local and global hunger while helping to teach kids about important skills such as service-learning. Once your adviser registers for the program, your group will receive resources to help your project be successful. The program includes lesson plans and inspirational videos. How can you get involved? Have a chapter discussion and figure out a need in your community. Identify how you can help your community address the problem of hunger. Plan a project, and don’t forget to submit your project to www.Lead2Feed.org. Be sure to take plenty of pictures of your project and tag @Lead2Feed on social media. Why should your chapter use this program? It’s free, and once you submit your project, it can be considered for a cash award. Lead2Feed gives over $250,000 in prizes to groups they see help make an impact in their communities. It also helps students learn how to have a service-oriented mind. More importantly, Lead2Feed makes a difference by helping to end hunger for all. In the United States, 1 in 5 people struggle with hunger, and 1 in 9 people in the world struggle with hunger. We have work to do. Register your chapter so that we can put our combined FCCLA strength together to really make an impact! FCCLA already has over 500 chapters registered for the program. Out of all the associations supporting Lead2Feed, FCCLA has the most participation. Congratulations! If you’ve not already participated, do some brainstorming, find the needs in your community, and work together to address what you find. Let’s empower each other to Lead2Feed!

30 Teen Times www.fcclainc.org January/February 2016

THE FCCLA

PRODUCT POST www.co-store.com/fccla

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FCCLA STORE HIGHLIGHTS TO FIT ALL OF YOUR NEEDS

STAY WARM IN RED

BE EFFICIENT

Stay warm when the weather cools down

Keep notes, ideas, and small cards close at hand

ALWAYS BE PREPARED

SHOW YOUR SPIRIT

Stay hydrated and bring your supplies

Decorative pins or a letterman patch add spirit to any outfit or jacket

Find these great products and more online at www.fcclastore.org