Stigler FCCLA attends National Leadership Conference, brings home the gold

Stigler was represented at a national conference this summer.

This year’s FCCLA National Leadership Conference was held in Ana- heim, Calif., on June 30 to July 4, according to a press release.

State Officer Ireland Fitzer, Star Event competitors Mickee Hichner and Mason Deyo, along with their adviser, Diane John- son, all from Stigler, were among the 8,700 attend- ing the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America’s (FCCLA) larg- est National Leadership Conference this year.

Attendees gathered to expand leadership skills, sharpen talents, explore career pathways and listen to inspiring speakers.

This year’s conference theme encouraged participants to “Believe in Yourself” through competing in events, running for office, partaking in Leadership Academy and continuing to make a positive impact within their families, com- munities and careers, the release states.

Hichner and Deyo were among 4,700 FCCLA members who competed in STAR (Students Taking Action with Recognition) Events at NLC. STAR Events are competitive events in which members are recognized for their pro- ficiency and achievement in chapter and individual projects, leadership skills and career preparation. Hichner and Deyo competed with their “Operation Stop Obesity” Interpersonal Communication event, bringing home gold medals, accordng to the release.

While in Anaheim, Stigler FCCLA members visited Disneyland, got to see all the Disney characters, rode various rides and purchased Disney souvenirs. They also enjoyed a trip to Huntington Beach Pier to swim, to watch people surf, shop and eat at Ruby’s Diner. The Oklahoma delegation spent a fun evening on Santa Monica Pier, eat- ing at Bubba Gump’s and walking up and down the pier, shopping. The most exciting event, the release states, was experiencing California’s first major earthquake in 20 years. Not everyone can say they survived a California earthquake.

Photo 1:Mason Deyo, Diane Johnson, Ireland Fitzer and Mickee Hitchner take a photo with Mickey Mouse while at Disneyland.

Photo 2: Mason Deyo, Diane Johnson, Ireland Fitzer and Mickee Hitchner take a photo with Cinderella at Disneyland. 

Photo 3: Mason Deyo and Mickee Hitchner stand in front of the Gold sign at Nationals. They received a gold medal for their project.

Photo 4: Mason Deyo, Ireland Fitzer and Mickee Hitchner pose for a photo on the Santa Monica Pier.

Story, photos submitted