HOISINGTON — The Family Career and Community Leaders of America program at Hoisington High School bustles with activity throughout the school year and even during the summer months.
Busy at the local and national levels, around 30 students participate in the club.
Students Erica Schwager is vice president of Student Taking Action with Recognition at the District level, Kayla Reisner is 1st Vice President of the District and Taylor Crawford is president of the district.
The students compete at the district, state and national level with projects that can include community service, applied technology and interpersonal communications.
To compete in the Applied Technology level, students like Reisner develop an issue and put it with technology. She will work on a presentation on childhood obesity to present at the competitions. Crawford is working on a presentation for Interpersonal Communications. In order to develop communication between students at the school, a pizza party was held at the beginning of the year and a yearbook signing party was held.
“The point was to bring them in,” said Crawford. “They are positive interactions in school.”
The three planned a day long leadership conference for the district on Oct. 17 at Lakeside High School. Nine schools participate in the district, comprising to about 250 students.
The students were a little nervous. “It’s scary, but it’s worth it in the end,” said Schwager.
The three think the program is very worthwhile. “You learn to talk in front of people and learn organization,” said Crawford.
Schwager said, “You learn leadership skills and meet new people. You make memories.”
The students gave credit to teacher and sponsor Karla Reisner. “She makes us a big family. Without Mrs. Reisner, I wouldn’t be in FCCLA,” said Schwager.
The students are involved in projects during the school year. The group makes nutritious snacks for the high school to sell during breaks. Mrs. Reisner makes a list, and the students shop for the items and then make the snacks.
They also held a fundraiser for the son of teacher who has a chronic illness and will pass out candy at Halloween at the city-wide Haunted Hall, as well as raise money for the Food Bank.
They also plan to bring in speakers for the students.
The students hold fundraisers for their other expenses to district, state and nationals.
Last school year, Crawford and his mother, and Kayla and Mrs. Reisner flew to Orlando to compete in the nationals. It was the first time Crawford had been on an airplane.
Kayla represented Kansas at the at-large voting delegate at the gathering of 6,800 students. She interviewed all of the national officer candidates and helped select the national executive council.
Crawford received training to carry out his duties as president of District B. He said, “I didn’t think I would have as much fun. I have friends all over the country.”