FCCLA is finishing the 2022-2023 school year with a variety of activities for members to compete, serve the community, and receive recognition.

On April 3rd-5th, the FCCLA State Conference took place. A group of 23 Westby high schoolers and middle schoolers traveled to the Kalahari in the Wisconsin Dells to participate, as well as about 100 other chapters in Wisconsin.

April 3rd, everyone got settled into their rooms, prepped and practiced for their competition, and attended the opening session which starts the conference. On April 4th, competitions went on from right away in the morning to late evening. When competitors are not competing, there are breakout rooms, or activities run by advisors, to participate in. The food competitions took place in the hotel’s restaurant, the Double Cut SteakHouse, or offsite at the Baraboo High School and Wisconsin Dells High School. All the other competitions were in the conference rooms at the hotel.

The awards, new state officer installation, and closing ceremony were early in the morning on the 5th. During the new officer installation, Lizzy Curtis (9) became one of the Wisconsin FCCLA State Officers for the 2023-2024 school year.

Competitors were announced in order of competition, grade, and medal, starting with the bronze and ending with gold. Of the high school’s competitors, Brigitta Haugen (11) with National Programs received a bronze, Lizzy Curtis with Career Investigations and Lydia Leisso (9) with Children’s Literature received a silver, and Harlee Harbaugh (11) with Culinary Creations, Jordan Derrick (10) with Pastry & Baked Goods, and Makenna Rudie (11) with Entrepreneurship received a gold. Makenna Rudie received a 100/100 for her project, and she and Curtis are national qualifiers. Lydia Leisso received Wisconsin Top Gold for earning the highest score in her category.

The WAMS FCCLA had 13 competitors. Aliyah McCauley, Makayla Schultz, and Tessa Rumppe with National Programs – Career Connections received a bronze, Adam Stiener, Mason Rahr, and Sawyer Schultz with Professional Presentation, Addison Evenstad with Career Investigation, Belle Weaver with Professional Presentation, Kate Mayer with Career Investigation, and Martie Bergdahl with Teach & Train received a silver, and Alea Mineking with Instructional Video Design and Cecilia Lyons with Professional Presentation received a gold.

On May 10th, the FCCLA held their banquet, at which the new officers were installed. Kari Ofte (12), this year’s president, Bethany Roethel (12), and Mckenna Rudie (11) stepped down, Harlee Harbaugh (11) and Jade Levendoski (11) continue to be officers, Brooklyn Bothe (11), Lizzy Curtis (9), and Nayeli Flores (11) are new officers, and the new chapter president is Lizzy Guy (11).