By Evan Cook

evan.cook@jessaminejournal.com

Jessamine County’s chapter of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA recently hosted a regional Students Taking Action with Recognition, or STAR, competition at East Jessamine High School.

STAR Events is an FCCLA National program that holds competitions for students in over 20 events and competes against ten other counties in their region. Those who competed in Jessamine County did so against local counties including Fayette, Anderson, Mercer, Lincoln, Garrad, Boyle, Estill, Woodford, Nicholas, and Powell County.

“This event is important because it recognizes students for their accomplishments,” Jennifer Hulette FCCLA Chapter Advisor said. “Students who win at the regional level compete at our state meeting in Louisville in March. Students who win at the state level compete at our national meeting in Atlanta, Georgia in July.”

In the most recent competition Hulette said Connor Stutsman received second place in Job Interview, Katie Bruner and Lauren Baker received third place in Chapter Service Project Display, Renae Weast received second place in Recycle and Redesign, Mati Jones and Olivia Wright received second place in Advocacy and Hannah Kimmel received second place in Career Investigation.

“The students began preparing for their events at the beginning of the school year,” Hulette said. “Every month a full group work session and individual work sessions were scheduled as needed.”

Other events, she said, include Entrepreneurship, Environmental Ambassador, Focus on Children, Illustrated Talk, Interpersonal Communication, Life Event Planning, Nutrition and Wellness, Parliamentary Procedure, Chapter in Review, National Programs in Action, Promote and Publicize FCCLA, Fashion Design and Construction, Teach and Train, Sports Nutrition, Interior Design, Early Childhood Education, Culinary Arts and Hospitality.

Hullete said those who competed were able to work with their event outside of FCCLA. For example, she said Mati Jones and Olivia Wright, who competed in the Advocacy competition, were able to advocate for an ASL class course at WJHS, and are now approved and in the course book for next year. Connor Stutsman who competed in the Job Interview competition for the airline industry was able to tour the RJ Corman facility and also visited Delta Airlines in Atlanta. Katie Bruner and Lauren Baker, who competed in Chapter Service Project Display competition raised money for pets with disabilities.

“I am extremely proud of all the students,” Hulette said. “A huge amount of work goes into the planning process and completion of these projects. In fact, just completing them is an accomplishment. All of the students had to complete either a portfolio or display board and prepare a speech.

“My hope and wish for the future of FCCLA in Jessamine County is that it continues to remain strong, both at the middle school and high school level. Since 1945, FCCLA students have been making a difference in their families, careers and communities.”