Connecticut Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America

Connecticut Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America

Chapter News

LOCAL STUDENT ELECTED NATIONAL OFFICER

OF YOUTH LEADERSHIP ORGANIZATION

Nashville, TN. – Michael Izquierdo, a Senior at Southington High School, Southington, CT, has been elected the 2009-2010 National Vice President of Parliamentary Law of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA). Michael is one of ten national officers elected during the organization’s 2009 National Leadership Conference, held July 12-16 in Nashville, Tennessee. Being elected a national officer is the highest leadership honor an FCCLA member can achieve.

Michael first joined FCCLA in the 9^th grade, and ever since his first meeting, he has enjoyed everything this organization has to offer. In his first year as a member, Michael served as his chapter’s vice president of Freshman members. He knew that he wanted to become more involved in FCCLA, so in the spring of that same year Michael ran for the Connecticut FCCLA State Executive Council at their Spring Leadership Conference. Michael attended the National Leadership Conference that summer in Anaheim, California and was completely blown away by the immense support this amazing youth organization has all over the country. After serving on the SEC (State Executive Council) of Connecticut for two years, Michael decided that he wanted to become even more involved, so this past summer he ran for the National Executive Council.

Michael’s election took place during a five-day leadership conference centered on the student-developed theme, “Beyond the Label.” During the week in Nashville, more than 5,600 FCCLA members, advisers, alumni, and guests attended workshops and sessions on relevant youth issues such as career preparation, financial literacy, environmental education, traffic safety, community service, and the changing roles of men and women in the home and workplace.

Along with nine other members of the national executive council, Michael will travel to FCCLA national headquarters in Reston, Va., during the year to attend training and program planning sessions. He will also help set policies and develop future goals for the organization as a committee member of the FCCLA National Board of Directors. During the year, Michael and the other national officers will represent the organization by leading workshops and giving speeches locally and throughout the country.

During the year as FCCLA Vice President of Parliamentary Law, Michael will help plan the focus and content of FCCLA’s 2010 National Leadership Conference, to be held July 4-8, in Chicago, Illinois.

Michael is the son of Angelina Ricciardi of Southington and Mario Izquierdo of Puerto Rico. Rosalind Diemand and Dorothy Fontana are Michael’s Southington FCCLA chapter advisers.

Michael already has a plan for what he wants to do in life after high school. Ever since the 7^th grade, Michael has wanted to become a pastry chef. It is his dream to become a famous pastry chef and to own a restaurant. He plans to attend Johnson and Wales University next year in Charlotte or in Denver to receive his associate degree in Baking and Pastry as well as a bachelors degree in restaurant management. He knows, however, that no matter where he ends up, he will never forget everything he has learned in FCCLA and all of the valuable experiences FCCLA has given him throughout the years, because this organization has greatly helped him accomplish his dreams. As the great writer Langston Hughes once wrote, “Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly.” Michael’s advice: “Never lose sight or give up on your dreams, because one day, with enough work and determination, dreams really do come true.”

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 Sciences Education. FCCLA has nearly 220,000 members and over 6,500 chapters from 50 state associations and 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.

LOCAL TEACHER RECEIVES AWARD AT

FCCLA NATIONAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

Nashville, TN. – Lucy Dembek, a Family and Consumer Sciences teacher at Newington High School, Newington, CT, recently returned from Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) 2009 National Leadership Conference held July 12-16 in Nashville, Tennessee, where she received the 2009 Spirit of Advising Award.

She received this award for demonstrating great FCCLA spirit and for her many years of involvement with FCCLA at the local, state and national levels. Mrs. Dembek was nominated for this award by Connecticut FCCLA.

This award recognizes chapter advisers who are constantly faithful and often quietly working behind the scenes to ensure the success of their students. These are the advisers whose patience, good humor, flexibility, and skill form the foundation of FCCLA at the local and state levels. Mrs. Dembek is a wonderful example of what the Spirit of Advising Award is all about. Without capable adult leaders, students could not take advantage of the many opportunities offered through FCCLA. Being an effective adviser takes special skills and a tremendous commitment of time and energy. Exceptional advisers motivate their chapters to take advantage of opportunities beyond the local level, use a wide variety of resources available to them, and encourage student involvement.

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To submit information or photos from your chapter, please email ctfccla@sbcglobal.net.