Waccamaw High's FCCLA brings home the gold

• Waccamaw High School's (WHS's) FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) recently returned from the National Convention held in Orlando, Fla., with a gold medal.

  Nicole Scott (last year's vice-president) and Erica Sumner (last year's secretary), both seniors in the class of 2008; and Shelby Cleveland, a junior, represented South Carolina in the STAR Events (Students Taking Action with Recognition). They received a gold medal in the Chapter Service Display Category, one of 16 National STAR Events available to FCCLA students.

  Their medals were presented at a recognition session honoring all participants at the Rosen Center Resort and Convention Center on Thursday, July 17. More than 5,000 members, advisers, alumni and guests from across the nation attended the meeting.

  About 2,300 students advanced from the local, regional, and state level of STAR Events to compete at the National Meeting. After winning the state event in March, these young ladies became eligible to represent South Carolina in the National competition.

  Their presentation was titled "I Dream of Genie." They presented a powerful skit and display which documented their "Head Huggers" community service project in which they made over 100 turbans for cancer/chemotherapy patients.

  Heidi Potter, a social studies teacher at WHS, graciously filled in for advisor Nancy Oliver, a Family and Consumer Sciences teacher at WHS, and chaperoned the girls this summer.

  "I expected them to win and they did!" Oliver said. "They worked very hard and did an excellent job. This is our chapter's 7th National Competition and they have brought home the gold medal every time!"

  This was Potter's first National FCCLA meeting and she too was impressed by the girls' dress, behavior, and leadership skills.

  "I had a wonderful time!" Potter said. "I was very impressed with the National FCCLA organization and its obvious positive influence on both youth and adults."

  Throughout the year the FCCLA tackles issues such as teen violence, family issues, parenting, drugs, alcohol and so much more. FCCLA programs enrich student learning, improve self-esteem and serve students with a range of agility levels, economic situation, and cultural influences.

  FCCLA: The Ultimate Leadership Experience 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 Science Education.

  FCCLA has more than 225,000 members and nearly 7,000 chapters from 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The organization has involved more than ten million youth since its founding in 1945.

  FCCLA is unique among youth organizations because its programs are planned and run by members. It is the only career and technical in-school student 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.

  The Waccamaw High School chapter will begin its meetings the first week in September. Any student who is enrolled in or has previously taken a Family and Consumer Science class is eligible for membership. This year those classes include Fashion Technology, Nutrition and Wellness, Food Preparation and Life Management Skills.

  Meetings are on Wednesday afternoons from 3 to 4 p.m. in the FCS classroom. Anyone interested in joining may contact Nancy Oliver at the high school.