Story By MARY BAILEY
The Sardis High School FCCLA traveled to the FCCLA State Leadership Conference and Star Event Competition in Montgomery on Wednesday, March 5 and all six students who participated came back with gold medals and an invitation to the national convention this summer.
Sardis High School FCCLA Awards:
Golden Chapter Award: Highest honor a chapter can hold.
Children’s First Award: For Christmas night which was hosted.
AnaRuth Stewart and Rylee Tolleson: first place in Food Innovations and Media with a score of 99.5.
Savannah Hughes: first place in Chapter Service Project Display with a score of 98.
Makenzie Casto and Amara Oaks: first place in Chapter in Review Display with a score of a 96.
Jaelie-Grace Powell: 2nd place in Recycle and Redesign with a score of 98.5. Powell made a dress out of paperback books.
“I am incredibly proud of these six students and their outstanding accomplishments at the competition. It takes hard work, dedication, and the courage to step out of their comfort zones to compete at this level. These competitions are highly competitive and require hours of effort to excel. Not only did all of them earn invitations to nationals, but they also achieved remarkable scores. This is their first year competing, and they have truly done an amazing job. I am excited to see them showcase their skills at nationals this summer,” said Tinzley Wilson, Sardis High School FCCLA Instructor.
“This is the first year that any of these girls have competed and they blew it out of the water. Orlando here we come!”
Each student who participated had positive things to say about their experience.
“This was the first year I competed in FCCLA, and it was an amazing experience I will never forget. I made memories with my friends that I would have never gotten to experience without competing. I’m so thankful for the opportunity and look forward to representing Sardis City at the national level,” said Rylee Tolleson.
“Being the last one left on that stage and having that medal put around my neck was a feeling like no other, but the real credit goes to my friends who were beside me every step of the way. Most of all, I want to thank Mrs. Wilson. Whenever any of us fell short, she was ALWAYS the one right there to pick us up and our biggest cheerleader. Her constant reminders of how great we truly have led us to where we wanted to be. She’s amazing, and we definitely couldn’t have done it without her,” added Savannah Hughes.
AnaRuth Stewart said that was the first time she had attended a state leadership conference.
“It was so much fun! I learned a lot through it, and it helped me to do things in spite of how scared I was to compete. It was an amazing bonding experience with my friends, and I wouldn’t have wanted to do it with any other group of girls. I can’t wait to go next year!”
Amara Oaks, Jaelie-Grace Powell and Makenzie Casto all echoed the same sediments.
“It was my first year going to the state competition, it was such an interesting experience, I wish I didn’t have to graduate. But it was a great last year to do it. I had so, so much fun with all these girls and I’m excited to see them do it again next year,” Oaks said.
“The competition was amazing! I am so glad that I got to participate! It was an amazing experience to have been a part of alongside my fellow competitors and friends. I am so blessed to get the opportunity to compete. However, the competition was very overwhelming and nerve-racking,” added Powell.
Makenzie Casto said it was her first year to attend a competition as well.
“I’m so thankful to be able to go and have this opportunity it taught me so many skills like leadership, teamwork and communication skills.”
The six students will now travel to Orlando, Florida this summer for nationals.
