Five OTC students place in national competition

Of the 4,300 competitors, Orange Technical College’s South Campus had five students compete and place in the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America’s National Leadership Conference, June 28 - July 3, in Seattle, Washington. 

The FCCLA NLC provided a valuable platform for attendees to expand their leadership skills, sharpen their talents, explore career pathways, and listen to inspiring speakers. The highly anticipated Students Taking Action with Recognition Events were at the heart of the conference. The competitors were recognized for their proficiency and achievement in chapter and individual projects, leadership skills and career preparation. The collaboration between youth and adults in managing the events and evaluating participants allowed students to develop real-world skills and gain valuable insights.

In a first for the adult program, Culinary Arts student Angela Ratcliffe competed in the Teach or Train STAR Events - Level 4 category. She earned a First Place/Top 3 finish and silver medal. Lodging and Operations students Ana Durans and Aija Smith Chang-Yen competed in the Instructional Video Design - Level 3. The high school dual-enrollment students earned a silver medal and Top 10 finish. Culinary Arts dual-enrollment student Sophie Casey earned a silver medal in the Sustainability Challenge - Level 3, and Summer Hudson-Moffett earned a bronze medal in the Leadership - Level 3 category.

“We are thrilled with the students’ historic success,” Zulma Cintron-Alamo, CTE instructor, said. “FCCLA projects exemplifies students’ dedication, creativity and commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of others. Their accomplishment at the national level is a testament to their hard work, teamwork and unwavering passion.”

STAR Events are pivotal in supporting student development by enhancing their classroom experience and guiding them toward successful career pathways. With more than 30 events to choose from, participants had the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and abilities by actively addressing essential issues concerning families, careers or communities. By researching the topic and implementing projects to advocate for positive change, students acquired valuable skills and industry insights needed to thrive in the 21st century.

The group also had the unique opportunity of touring the Renaissance Seattle by Marriott Bonvoy and shadow various hotel departments. Connie Muller, an event manager from the Groups and Sales department, guided the group behind the scenes, allowing them to explore different career paths and gain insight into the hotel's culture. The students enjoyed the experience and gathered valuable information to help guide their future careers in the industry.

About FCCLA

Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) is a dynamic and effective student-led nation-based organization supporting youth on their journey to become the leaders of tomorrow and helping them address important personal, family, work, and societal issues through Family and Consumer Sciences education. FCCLA has over 240,000 members and more than 5,200 chapters across the nation. 

The Ultimate Leadership Experience is unique among youth organizations because its programs are planned and run by members. It is the only career and technical intracurricular student organization with a central focus on careers that support families. Participation in national FCCLA programs and chapter activities aids members in becoming strong leaders in their families, careers, and communities. For more information on FCCLA, visit the webpage or contact Zulma Cintron-Alamo at 407-251-6122 or zulma.cintronalamo@ocps.net.