Tarkio High School FCCLA members Sydnee Bruns, Brooklyn Wennihan, and Jina Harbit attended the State FCCLA Leadership Conference in Osage Beach, Missouri.

Students from Tarkio High School attended the 2023 Missouri Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) State Leadership Conference, March 12-14 at Tan-Tar-A Conference Center in Osage Beach. Over 1,400 delegates from across the state represented 7,340 members of Missouri FCCLA. Tarkio FCCLA members Brooklyn Wennihan, Sydnee Bruns, and Jina Harbit attended with chapter adviser Dara Whipple.

The conference centered on the student-developed theme “FCCLA Takes Flight.” The conference kicked off with the Opening General Session on Sunday evening where the 2022-2023 Missouri FCCLA State Executive Council presided. The keynote speaker was Morris Morrison.

On Monday, more than 400 students participated in 31 competitive STAR Events (Students Taking Action with Recognition). Events include entrepreneurship, culinary arts, job interviews, chapter service projects, event management, and many others. Brooklyn competed in sports and nutrition, receiving a gold medal, and Sydnee competed in career investigation, receiving a silver medal. Students also were able to attend workshops on leadership development, college prep, finance, and health. Exhibits from Missouri colleges and universities were also present at the conference.

Student voting delegate, Jina helped elect the 2023-2024 Missouri FCCLA State Executive Council. Conference attendees raised over $1,000 for our state outreach project benefitting Rachel’s Challenge.

FCCLA is unique among student organizations because projects and events – such as the State Leadership Conference – are planned and run by its student members. This prime focus of Missouri FCCLA, youth-centered leadership, helps members develop those “skills for life” – planning, goal setting, problem solving, decision-making, and interpersonal communication – necessary in the work place and in the home.