LUSK – From March 26 to 28, the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) represented Niobrara County on the national level. According to FCCLA coach Katherine Kruse, seven students recently participated in the state competition in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Six of her students placed in the top three spots of their respective categories.

Two of the students competed in fashion and construction. Three students competed in professional presentation. One student competed in purpose and redesign. One student competed in career investigation.

“The students did a really good job with working on their projects,” said Kruse. “The students presented in front of two or three judges during the competition.”

According to Kruse, students who place within the top three will go to Nationals FCCLA, which will be held in Orlando, Florida. If a student cannot attend the national competition, students who placed in the top three up will attend.

“Currently, we have, for sure, four students who will attend nationals,” said Kruse. “One student will be attending the University of Wyoming for tenth grade and they will not be able to attend nationals. So, I have three students who will be attending nationals. We’re waiting to see if one student will be bumped up so they might be able to attend nationals.”

“Our chapter was nominated and won the small outstanding chapter during the state competition,” Kruse said. “There is so many things for our kids to do for a small community and there are so many students that do really well in state competition because they have great communication and presentation skills and organizational skills.”

Kruse stated that the judges always compliment NCHS students for representing Niobrara County in such a polite and kind manner. The FCCLA students will be conducting several fundraising events in the near future. However, these events are still in the planning stages.

Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) is a national Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) for students in Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) education in public and private schools. FCCLA offers intra-curricular resources and opportunities for students to pursue careers that support families. Since 1945, FCCLA members have been making a difference in their families, careers, and communities by addressing important personal, work, and societal issues through Family and Consumer Sciences education.