The Rose Petal, Issue 2 [Summer 2023]

ROSE PETAL ROSE PETAL

EMBARK ON YOUR ULTIMATE JOURNEY

NLC Recap, Back-To-School preparations, and more!

THE OFFICIAL FLORIDA FCCLA MAGAZINE

N A T I L E A D E C O N F E D e n v

O N A L E R S H I P E R E N C E

Catch up on NEWS F L O R I D A F C C L A

FLORIDA FCCLA TAKES ON THE MILE HIGH CITY

On July 2nd ,2023, members from our Florida Association came together at FCCLA's National Leadership Conference held this year in Denver, Colorado. We were ecstatic to see nearly 200 members represent our sunshine state at this conference.

NATIONAL FINALISTS:

During our week in Denver, members embarked on their incREDible journey starting with Youth Networking opportunities offered at both the High school and Middle school levels where they were able to interact and meet fellow youth leaders from all over the nation.

Following networking sessions, State Officers hosted our Florida State Meeting where they welcomed members to the 2023 National Leadership Conference with games , conference guidelines, and general announcements

Chapter in Review, Brice Glenn, Progress Village Middle School, 9th Place

Chapter Service Project Display, Georgi Churchwell and Halinah Taylor, Ponce de Leon Senior HS, 5th Place

Chapter Service Project Portfolio, Tess Lippincott, Andrea Mondragon, and Sydney Nolin, 5th Place

Culinary Arts, Cristian Gallego, Leto HS, 9th Place

Public Policy Advocate, Kylie Moo-Paw, Hill MS, 7th Place

Public Policy Advocate, Brooke Harris, Lake Gibson HS, 8th Place

Repurpose and Redesign, Hunter Weimorts, Ponce de Leon Senior HS, 7th Place.

In addition to our vast number of attendees, we also had over 136 STAR Event participants representing Florida FCCLA on the National level Of these competitors we had the honor of awarding 14 Gold medals, 67 silver medals, and 55 Bronze certificates

Members that competed in these events presented projects that they worked diligently on during the course of the 2022-2023 school year and we are more than proud to see of all their hard work this past year recognized.

PICTURED: ST CLOUDHIGHSCHOOLCHAPTER

YOUR Ultimate Journey's at NLC in Denver, CO

Jaden Carr

From Hillsborough High School, Jaden Carr was chosen to be a Florida FCCLA Voting Delegate alongside our Florida State Officers. We asked Jaden about his experience and he said the following: “A phrase to explain FCCLA NLC: MIND BLOWING! NLC in Denver Colorado was amazing From networking to trading pins with kids across the country, waking around the city and trying new foods, going to Elitch Gardens; and hearing from the passionate FCCLA National Officer candidates, it blew my mind to the possibility’s that FCCLA has to offer The youth workshops offered numerous ways for me to grow Going into this year, I want to share the experience with my school I had and bring a new family to NLC 2024!”

Venice Cabrera

As a first year member of Haines City High School FCCLA's Chapter, Venice shared her some thoughts about her journey in Denver, CO. "Being at NLC was a once in a lifetime experience for me. It was such an amazing opportunity as I got to branch out and meet so many intelligent people everyday! The most memorable part of my NLC experience this year was definitely the morning of competition, seeing the guest speaker and having an excuse to meet and socialize with new people through pintrading. Through NLC, I was also able to learn and develop my communication skills while also deepening my understanding of the impact of FCCLA as it was my first year of being a member!"

"Nationals was an opportunity to learn leadership skills and enjoy traveling with my friends"

Nolan Mirkitani, Lakewood Ranch High School

This time around, representing Florida FCCLA at Nationals was a movement that our State Executive Council was very passionate about. We were delighted to see our members bring their "Florida Gear" to Opening General Session. As members settled into Florida's designated seating area, State Officers rallied and made members excited to kick off NLC.

We thoroughly enjoyed the amount of chapters that participated in this project. Prompted by the influence of a post on our State Instagram (@flfccla) account, it stated ways to represent Florida FCCLA at Opening session. In the post, it was encouraged that members bring glow sticks, sunglasses, pool floats, leis, and banners that would make our state stand out amongst the tremendous crowd of over 7,900 youth leaders across the nation.

It was an incredible experience of growth, learning, and inspiration.

ISABELLA SMITH VP OF JUNIOR RELATIONS

JORGESANCHEZ

THE START OF HIS JOURNEY

Jorge Sanchez is one of the most admirable figures that Florida FCCLA has produced. As a three term State officer, Jorge has built his leadership skills since his first State Officer position in 2018 He started his FCCLA journey by running for the ATLarge State position, VP of Junior Relations. The following year, Jorge was elected Florida State President-Elect as he learned how to lead our state to success from 2021 State President, Karinne Mitchell.

His 2021-22 Presidential term was massively successful as he hosted the first State Leadership Conference since 2019 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Reverting back to in-person conference would not be easy but with the help of the State Board of Directors and his State Executive Council.. it was deemed a success!

His State Theme was "Across the World with Florida FCCLA" was wildly successful. With an increase of 2,500 members, Jorge was on the road to success as an FCCLA Member

THE ROAD TO NATIONAL LEVEL

Following his presidential term that was then taken over by 2022-23 State President, Paula Avellaneda, he announced he was starting the process of being a National Officer Candidate. With full-support of Florida FCCLA , Jorge was elected as the National VP of Finance

Community

Community Service over the summer of 2023 has been one with bustling ideas from the bright state of Florida, and we are here to share that with you. Whilst many believe that Community Service is about volunteering time to help, while you wouldn’t be entirely wrong, Florida FCCLA wanted to do it slightly different Florida FCCLA’s State VP of Community Service, Gabriel Long and the rest of the State Executive Council decided that finding sources of funding for future and current Community Service efforts would be the best choice to help the most people as possible.

Through this thinking the ‘10% Rule’ was formed. In a short glimpse, it allows local chapters to choose if they would like to donate 10% of what they fundraise for their chapter and give it to what the state community service project is. Which this year is still helping to build wells for local villages in Africa. Our partners at WeHelpTwo also support this project and another way we help support these villages is by the proceeds of the socks that are bought This partnership allows FCCLA and all those that contribute to help thousands of people who do not have the same lucky situation of healthy water and clean socks everyday like most of us do

The new school year is rapidly approaching and with affiliation opening on August 1st, we are so excited to welcome new and returning members to our Florida Association.

Back to School:

Many current and past members say that they never forget the first time they stepped into a Family and Consumer Science Class and how they became FCCLA members. As youth leaders, local officers play a pivotal part in the promotion of FCCLA and the recruitment process at their own schools.

To ensure a successful year of recruiting new members, it is recommended that chapters take initiative as soon as the school year starts. Newly-elected National FCCLA President, Amanda Chen, shared a social media post suggested some tips to set chapters up for success.

She states the following:

Creating a bulletin board to promote FCCLA and FCS

Set up a FCCLA booth at school events

Suggest the bring a buddy system

Reach out to underclassmen about FCCLA

Host an informational FCCLA meeting

Chapter Affiliation is NOW open on Advisers FCCLA Portals!! Register today!

2023-2024 State Theme

Goals are:

Encourage existing chapters to groove back into participation

Complete The Water Project helping make peace around the world

Better help future leaders find the train into their career

The 2023-2024 State Theme Targets are: Lead the Boogie Train with Potential Leadership

Groove into the world with Career Preparation

Keeping it far out with family values

Making peace with community service

This school year's state theme chosen by State President, Alice Francois, is inspired by one of the most unforgettable genres of music... Disco!

Dear Florida members,

I hope everyone is all in high spirits and eager anticipation for the upcoming school year! As we kick off another fabulous year, I wanted to take a moment to share my excitement about the fantastic opportunities that lie ahead for each and every one of us in FCCLA.

I am genuinely thrilled to see all of you rejoin FCCLA and continue to be an integral part of our amazing community. Your dedication, passion, and determination have always been the driving force behind our success, and I have no doubt that this year will be no different.

Here's to a groovy year filled with growth, development, and a whole lot of fun. I cannot wait to embark on this journey with all of you. If you have any thoughts, ideas, or suggestions, please feel free to reach out. Your input is always valuable and highly appreciated.

Wishing each and every one of you a fantastic start to the school year. Let's make it one for the books!

STATE PRESIDENT

ALICE FRANCOIS

Hello, Florida FCCLA!

Welcome back to school! Are YOU ready to Journey Your Way Into Florida FCCLA?!

We are delighted to welcome all affiliated chapters and look forward to your participation, leadership growth, and most importantly, having fun in your school FCCLA chapters. This year is bound to be The Ultimate Journey for Florida Chapters!

Included below are links and information to get your chapter re-affiliated and your membership growing:

Affiliate through the portal found on www.fcclainc.org

The Membership Tool Kit - eligible for affiliated chapters, resources to kick start and make recruitment FUN! Find this in your chapter portal.

Affiliation options this year include the newest membership packages recently approved at the National Leadership Conference - 100% Middle School Level, Unlimited Members Package and Up to 25 Members Package. See if either of these fit your chapter needs.

4.

Affiliation deadline for our state is October 31.

Our State Officers are available to speak at one of your local events or facilitate workshops on numerous topics relevant to the chapter Florida - in person or virtual. Use the Officer Request Fo to reserve their attendance at your next district event!

I look forward to Florida FCCLA making The Ultimate Jou this year with all of you!

STATE DIRECTOR MRS. RAIA-LONG

You made it to the end!

Thank you for reading my 2nd Issue of The Rose Petal as your 2023-24 VP of Public Relations! I thoroughly enjoyed writing and editing this for our Florida FCCLA members and advisers. Make sure to check out the next issue of this newsletter in October and follow @flfccla on all of our social media platforms to stay updated on Florida FCCLA updates! Hope you guys have an amazing start to your school year and I can't wait to see you all again at SLC in March!

STATE VP OF PUBLIC RELATIONS ANDREA MONDRAGON

1.

2.

3.