FCCLA duo receives gold at nationals

Valerie Perez and Karen Ruiz from the Perkins County FCCLA Chapter joined more than 7,500 others for the 2017 National Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Leadership Conference in Nashville, Tennessee July 2-6.  

The young ladies, who will be seniors this fall, were among over 4,200 STAR (Students Taking Action with Recognition) Event competitors. They received a gold medal and placed seventh nationally on their hospitality, tourism and recreation project. 

The project focused on the team being able to demonstrate their knowledge of the hospitality, tourism and recreation industries and their ability to translate their knowledge into a hypothetical or real business. 

Perez and Ruiz created a hotel named LYX in New York City. They designed the hotel, developed a business plan, researched similar existing hotels and created a website that highlighted the business, the floor plans, prices and services for each room and the personnel needed to run the hotel. 

During the presentation they demonstrated their customer service knowledge and ability to problem solve through an onsite case study. Using their portfolio, website, oral presentation and case study to earn points, they received a gold medal in the event. 

Perez said it was a once in a lifetime experience and she is grateful to everyone who helped them get there. She was “truly honored to have represented Perkins County and Nebraska as well.

“What I loved most about my experience with this project was having the ability to network with other individuals and have a higher sense of competition that will definitely help and benefit my future,” Perez said. 

Ruiz said it was nice seeing how much the community cared and supported them. 

“It made me remember why small towns are so great,” she said. 

STAR Events

FCCLA’s STAR Events are based on the belief that every student is a winner. Competition, evaluation and recognition all stress cooperation as the basis of success. Both youth and adults work together to manage the events and serve as evaluators of the participants. Throughout the year, FCCLA members tackle issues such as teen violence prevention, traffic safety, family issues, career exploration, and more. 

FCCLA offers over 30 STAR Events. These events, which include early childhood education, job interview, and sports nutrition, among others, represent college and career readiness skills taught in family and consumer sciences classroom. Members compete at the district, state and national level. 

Experience

The conference provided Perez and Ruiz, who were accompanied by their sponsor Cathy Ochsner and her husband Jim, the opportunity to attend leadership and program training, hear national speakers, meet the National Executive Council, explore colleges and careers and impact a city with the Unlimited Possibilities of FCCLA.  

There were able to attend a National FCCLA event at First Tennessee Park, home of the Nashville Sounds, featuring the musical duo Dan and Shay and “Booster - The Hot Chicken” - the Nashville Sounds Mascot. They had a backstage tour of the Grand Ole Opry , enjoyed shopping at Opry Mills and had a meal at the Aquarium in the Opry Mills shopping center. 

Several activities in downtown Nashville included Broadway on the Fourth of July, downtown concerts and the spectacular fireworks as viewed from the Ascend Amphitheater with the Nashville symphony playing during the fireworks.

Ruiz’s favorite part of the trip was the fireworks. 

Perez, Ruiz and Advisor Ochsner would like to thank everyone who helped make this trip to National FCCLA possible.