By STEPHANIE BUNKER
Moapa Valley Progress
The Moapa Valley Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Chapter attended their State Convention March 11-13 at the Quad Hotel in Las Vegas. During the convention, MVHS students Shannon Wallace and Hannah Sheldon were voted as State Officers of FCCLA.
Formerly known as Future Homemakers of America (FHA), FCCLA focuses on giving students the opportunity to expand leadership potential and develop skills for life-planning, goal setting, problem solving, decision making, and interpersonal communication necessary in the home and workplace.
At the state convention Wallace was voted in as the new Nevada State President, and Sheldon as the new Vice President of Membership.
As members of the State Board, Wallace and Sheldon will be involved in planning the State Convention next year, attending the National Conference in San Antonio, Texas and attending officer meetings throughout the year.
Wallace is excited about becoming the next FCCLA State President.
“I was very happy but sad too,” she said. “I left one team and we had grown together but I get to have a new team and make new relationships there.”
Last year Wallace was the Vice President of Records for FCCLA and through that leadership opportunity she got to help plan the convention this year.
There were six other candidates for State President. Wallace thought that serving as an officer last year helped her to get to know more people and make new relationships.
Wallace has found that the FCCLA organization is true to its motto as being the Ultimate Leadership Experience.
“I believe it has made me grow out of my shell and has made me talk to people more,” she said.
She said that the program prepares students for life after they leave their homes because they let the students lead.
“There are adults in charge of us,” Wallace said. “But they let us take over and do what we think is best for the state.”
As State President, Wallace wants to reach out to members more and get ideas to increase membership numbers in the organization. She also wants to get more kids from Nevada to go to Nationals this year.
There was a big turnout at the convention with about 500 people in attendance.
Several competitive events were held in which the member’s participated. Local students Raven Govelovich, Samantha Torres, and Mckenzie Jorgensen competed in cupcake decorating this year. The group also got to tour the Springs Preserve and attend leadership workshops during the convention.
