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Spring Lake Park High School’s FCCLA organization (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) recently competed at the state level. Individuals earned gold and silver awards for their projects and three students qualified for nationals in Seattle.

After a busy 3-day state competition, students in Spring Lake Park High School’s FCCLA co-curricular group aren’t settling for long. They returned from state and met to celebrate their success and awards, and then shift right into another local community service project: writing personal cards to be delivered to a senior center.

This is just one of many community outreach projects coming from the chapter this year. The group also held a pencil drive for school supplies and a sock drive for a women’s shelter earlier in the year.

“Our group is versatile - it's mainly based on community service and outreach,” says Mercy Ncube, a junior who has been involved in the organization since freshman year, “but it’s also about preparing for your future – developing yourself and preparing yourself for postsecondary education."

From a definition standpoint, FCCLA is a student-led career and technical organization for any student in grade 9-12. The mission focuses on leadership skills for life in character development, creative and critical thinking, interpersonal communication, practical knowledge and career preparation. At Spring Lake Park High School, the co-curricular group functions as an integral part of the Family and Consumer Sciences education curriculum, with opportunities for active student participation at the local, state and national level.

“The students in this group mesh together so well,” says Toren Johnson, who teaches social studies for SLP Online and began serving as FCCLA’s staff advisor just a few years ago. “Many have been involved since freshman year. We all work together to determine our community service projects, but the students really drive it all and make it happen. I’m still learning the ins-and-outs of the organization, but they are so self-sufficient.”

Spring Lake Park High School’s FCCLA organization has a long, successful history. Lori Henry served as faculty advisor for many years before retiring in 2022 and turning advising duties over to Toren.

Lori spent 29 years teaching Culinary Arts, Early Childhood, and Housing, Family Life and Consumer Education. She was inducted into the National FCCLA Hall of Fame in 2020 and was named the Minnesota and National Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher of the Year in 2021. Her impact on students and the organization is far-reaching.

One of those students, Luncho Galata, is now a junior who got involved with FCCLA partway through freshman year before Lori retired. This year, her career exploration project into nursing landed her a spot at nationals. Last year, her project was exploring becoming a lawyer.

"Lori invested a lot of time into the group, helping us as students and being such a big advocate for FCCLA,” says Luncho. “She came to watch us at state a couple weeks ago and cheer us on.”

Mercy also benefitted from having the two advisors to guide her along the FCCLA journey: “Lori Henry and Toren Johnson have both been so helpful as advisors over the years. They’ve structured it so it feels like we are meant to be here and participate,” says Mercy.

From state to nationals

Students competed at the 3-day state competition at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis April 7-9. While presenting their final projects, members also listened to speakers, learned valuable leadership skills during workshops and connected with other local chapters.

“It's really fun because there's lots of activities and it’s great to connect with other FCCLA members in our central area,” says Mercy. “We are one of the few FCCLA organizations in the metro. The other closest school is Eastview High School (Apple Valley) but other than that, many schools in our state traveled from hours away to compete at state."

Spring Lake Park High School had three students receive gold awards and will advance to nationals in Seattle, Washington, in June.

Gold Awards

• “Interpersonal Communication” – Precious Miroga
• “Entrepreneurship” – Mercy Ncube
• “Career Investigation” – Luncho Galata

Silver Awards

• “Everyday Equations” – Angelina Pho
• “Career Investigation” – Hanna Opatola

The awards are always, well, rewarding…though Mercy and Luncho also place a lot of value on the welcoming atmosphere that FCCLA naturally fosters. The emphasis on community is what keeps them coming back to the group each year.

"This is such a lighthearted community,” says Luncho. “Even from just this meeting making cards for seniors, you can tell we are just decompressing. I participate in other competition groups like DECA and Debate Team, which can be higher stress. I appreciate that this group is fun and easygoing."

Mercy agrees that it’s the sense of belonging is a key factor for her involvement as well.

We're all very different people in this group, but when we come together for meetings, it's always a very comfortable environment. Mercy Ncube, junior