The state leadership conference for Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America, or FCCLA, took place on March 26-27, 2024, in Layton, Utah.
FCCLA competitions, whether at a regional, state or national level, give students a chance to build career and family skills by competing in events called STAR events. “We focus on the future and improving the home and family,” said Berkli Black, a sophomore from the Panguitch High School FCCLA chapter.
There are over 30 STAR events to choose from. Most require extensive preparation, including a portfolio and an oral presentation. Many that students chose to do this year had individual requirements as well, such as shadowing an educator, completing a case study, volunteering to help plan an event, or designing a product.
The following are the medalists and the events they participated in from each of the schools this year.
Wayne
| Mateusz Drumm | Hospitality, Tourism and Recreation | Bronze |
| Brylee Brown | Teach or Train | Silver |
| Audrey White | Fashion Design | Silver |
| Makaylee Burningham | Interior Design | Silver |
| Ava Petree and Madison Nelson | Repurpose and Redesign | Silver |
| Autumn Chesnut | Event Management | Silver |
| Zaylei Mattingly and Rhylie VanDyke | Focus on Children | Gold |
The growing Wayne FCCLA chapter had an exciting conference this year. In addition to medaling in events, a couple members brought home extra honors.
Zaylei Mattingly, a sophomore at WHS, ran for a position on the Utah FCCLA State Executive Council and made it! She will serve as Vice-President of History for the 2024-2025 School Year.
Advisor Lori Chappell was also awarded the Utah FCCLA Spirit of Advising Award.
No one from the Wayne chapter made it to nationals, though Zaylei and Rhylie are runners up if the first and second winners choose not to go.
Panguitch
| Sadie Pollock | Teach or Train | Bronze |
| Annie Yardley and Laynee Dodds | Interpersonal Communications | Silver |
| Berkli Black | Career Investigation | Gold |
The Panguitch chapter this year was small but mighty, with all four members placing in events.
Berkli will be heading on to nationals this summer after investigating a career in therapy. Most FCCLA students who pursue career investigation say that they plan to use these skills in their future career. Berkli certainly agrees.
“I dream of becoming a therapist when I grow up,” Berkli said. “I want to be able to help people and get to know them on a deeper level than what appears on the outside.”
Berkli believes her unique experiences and opportunities to learn about mental health will help her be a good therapist.
Bryce Valley
| Allie Chynoweth and Skyler Ott | Public Policy Advocate | Silver |
| Annabella Vasquez and Kinlee Brinkerhoff | Nutrition and Wellness | Bronze |
| Mia Barna and Alex Rauba | Interior Design | Silver |
| Kiersten Pancrazio and Shaylie Pollock | Interior Design | Silver |
The Bryce Valley chapter also all medaled at state, but none of them will be going to nationals.
FCCLA has made a positive impact on many of these students’ lives. And most of them will not let anyone talk bad about it.
“FCCLA provides opportunities for personal development and is a chance for me to prepare for adult life,” said Berkli. “FCCLA is a lot of hard work and dedication but the feeling of knowing I worked hard and performed to the best of my abilities is worth it.”
The FCCLA national leadership conference will take place on June 29-July 3, 2024, in Seattle, Washington.
– The Byway
Feature image caption: The Panguitch chapter at the FCCLA state leadership conference. Courtesy of Tammi Bennett.