From President to Advisor. Lathrop High’s first FCCLA Chapter.

Story by Jennifer Santillan, Lathrop High Senior and Community Outreach Intern

“I had no idea what we were doing, but I wouldn’t trade the experience for the world,” recalled Mrs. Selga, the Life Management teacher and FCCLA advisor at Lathrop High School.

FCCLA, or Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America, is an intra-curricular organization where students may compete in regional, state, and national competitions in specializations such as sewing, cooking, storytelling, and other opportunities that support family and consumer science related careers.

Linda Selga’s FCCLA journey began when she was a student at St. Mary’s High School, where she became involved in the organization formerly known as the Future Homemakers of America/Home Economics Related Occupations (FHA/ HERO) founded in 1945.

Mrs. Selga began sewing at a very young age, and didn’t think very much of it until she entered high school and learned of opportunities where she could apply and advance her skill. “When I first joined the program, I didn’t know that I was able to compete in sewing,” said Mrs. Selga. “My advisor, Betty Keller, encouraged me to compete at the regional, state, and national level as part of the organization.” After transferring to Edison High School as a junior, Mrs. Selga gained an officer position in the high school’s FHA/HERO organization that year. The following year, as a senior, she obtained a presidential office position in her chapter.

Today, Mrs. Selga initiated Lathrop High School’s first FCCLA chapter. “All of the other advisors in theDistrict really encouraged me to initiate FCCLA at Lathrop High, and it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” she expressed.

When organizing the chapter, many doubts ran through her head. With only a few students signing up for her class, it was difficult to establish what she and her former FCCLA co-advisor and life skills teacher, Mrs. Armstrong, envisioned. “Mrs. Lee at Sierra High School won so many awards, and I was driven by that,” shared Mrs. Selga. “I wanted our organization to build off of the high standard of FCCLA established within MUSD.”

As a developing organization at Lathrop High School, Mrs. Selga and her FCCLA students have made their mark by competing in several competitions. “This year, we had six competitors,” she elaborated. “Every single student placed at regional and state, while one team made it to nationals.” The chapter also brought home the Bronze State Superior Chapter honor. To obtain this award, their chapter volunteered a number of hours in their community, attended region meetings, as well as meet eligibility requirements to compete at regional competitions.

Along with her team’s honors, Mrs. Selga received the State Silver Outstanding Advisor Award by exemplifying great achievement in helping develop Lathrop High’s FCCLA organization and was thoughtfully recognized during their virtual state meeting earlier this month. This award was given to advisors throughout California, and Mrs. Selga received second place in the state. She stated, “I was really excited about this award. Last year when we went to state, we didn’t get any accolades, but that encouraged a few of my students to build the program further.” Mrs. Selga emphasized that although she is proud of her students for earning awards and recognition for their hard work, her primary goal is for students to develop and appreciate the life skills they are learning.

When asked how her students inspired her, she shared two different perspectives. The first, she reminisced, as her senior self at Edison High School. “I have the greatest respect for my [former] FCCLA adviser. I will never forget being a student on our bus rides to Palo Alto for regional meetings, and how much fun I had with my FCCLA friends.” She continued, “There is an abundance of work, time, and energy that you have to spend, and I give [Ms. Keller] props for dealing with us.”

Mrs. Selga then spoke about her perspective as a teacher/ adviser, and how fulfilling it is to see her students excited in and out of the classroom. “Seeing my students on stage to receive their medals is the best feeling. I know that I’m making an impact.”