Celebrating a year of success
Wessington Springs students were among 1350 South Dakota Association of Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (SD FCCLA) members who gathered at the Ramkota Hotel & Convention Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, for the 2023 SD FCCLA State Leadership Conference. The conference, held on April 23 – 25, 2023 showcased the theme: Be IncREDible! Be EmPOWERed! Show Your RED Power!
“During the meeting, individual members and chapters were honored with scholarships, state project awards, national program awards and career development event awards,” explained Wessington Springs FCCLA Chapter Advisor Charlotte Mohling. “Congratulations to the Wessington Springs FCCLA members who competed in STAR Events at the FCCLA State Leadership Conference. Also, congratulations to the chapter for your accomplishments.'
Local Chapter Receives Array of Awards at State
• Both the Junior High Chapter and Senior Chapter received the Merit Chapter Award.
• The Senior Chapter received the SD Public Relations Award.
• The Senior Chapter placed 2nd in the National Program Award competition.
• The Senior Chapter was recognized for their increase in membership.
• Alexis Roesler received the SD Outstanding Junior High Member Award.
• The following students received Top Superior and were a part of the Parade of STARS: Jada Kolousek, Mercedes Jones, Zoe Fettig, Haylee Gregg, Alexis Lipp, Taylor Braun, and Carissa Scheel.
• Mercedes Jones placed 1st in the Leadership - Level 2 STAR Event and advanced to national competition.
• Carissa Scheel placed 1st in the Leadership - Level 3 STAR Event and advanced to national competition.
• The Knowledge Bowl Team (Carson Hainy, Harlee Heim, Haeleigh Mulder, Kirstie Munsen and Jack Neely) have advanced to national competition.
• Congratulations to Mercedes Jones and Branden Flowers. Jones completed her term as the South Dakota Junior High Representative. Branden was selected as the 2023-2024 South Dakota VP of Public Relations.
Members who advance to the national level of competition will compete at the 2023 National FCCLA Leadership Conference in Denver, CO.
At state, members were inspired by keynote speaker Angela Kennecke, as she shared her personal experiences losing her daughter to an accidental opioid overdose and her choice to make the story public. She shared the heartbreak and her crusade to stop more overdoses of young people.
Governor Kristi Noem and U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson were honored guests that addressed conference attendees. Multiple workshops and hands— on learning experiences were hosted by State Leadership Teams, business and industry representatives and individuals who shared personal survival stories. The 2023 State Leadership Conference concluded with the 2022-2023 State Executive Council meeting by passing their leadership torches on to the new, 2023-2024 SD FCCLA State Executive Council.
