FCCLA chapter attends District 3 meeting

Approximately 249 student members and advisors from across North Dakota gathered in Grand Forks on October 27 to participate in the annual Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) District 3 meeting. The theme of this year's meeting was "Make it Count."

With that theme in mind, delegates participated in a general session, service project and a district meeting that assisted in strengthening their leadership abilities as individuals and community members. The keynote speaker was Patrick Kasper, speaker and entrepreneur. In the Positive Motion mind/body workshop, Patrick shared his energetic personality by combining elements of kick boxing, hip hop moves, percussive rhythms, beat boxing and club grooves, and fused them together for a creative, interactive and entertaining team building mind/body activity for all ages!

New Rockford-Sheyenne FCCLA advisor Caitlin Good brought 18 students to the district meeting, which she and her mother chaperoned.

"It was a HUGE increase from the last meeting we went to two years ago, where I had six members plus myself," Good said. "We also welcomed four gentlemen into our organization this year, three of which are serving on our executive council."

This years' service project involved each chapter collecting personal care items for the individuals using the service of the CVIC in Grand Forks. A total of 282 items were collected and donated. Also, chapters brought along fabric to make tie blankets. A total of 58 fleece blankets were made and donated: 24 blankets to CVIC or Project Linus, 16 to North Valley Human Services (serves Cavalier, Pembina and Walsh Counties), 18 taken back to communities and distributed to Nelson County Social Services, Fargo YWCA Emergency Shelter, DVAC in Grafton, and Grand Forks Foster Care. The members also participated in raising funds for the Children's Miracle Network, and $799.91 was raised by hosting a miracle minute and paying to wear jeans!

Good hopes that the experience will encourage students to get more involved with state offices or STAR events. "I have no doubt in my mind that I have the next best group of leaders, and I'm excited to see what they do the rest of the academic year," she concluded.

Madisyn Altendorf, Minto, and Addison Hefta, Midway, were this year's District 3 presidential candidates. Delana Thomas and Madi Myhre represented NR-S as voting delegates, and had the opportunity to help vote for the District 3 FCCLA president.

Addison Hefta was elected and will serve as District 3's president. Madisyn Altendorf will serve as the Vice President. They were installed with other district officers in the installation ceremony.

North Dakota District 3 consists of the following schools: Thompson, Langdon, Midway, New Rockford-Sheyenne, Minto, Grafton, Park River, Hatton, Northwood, Edmore, Valley-Edinburg, May-Port CG, Grand Forks (Central and Red River), Dakota Prairie and Drayton.

FCCLA: 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 student organization with the family as its central focus. Participation in national programs and chapter activities help members become strong leaders in their families, careers, and communities. FCCLA is supported by the North Dakota State Board for Career and Technical Education.