What’s up FCCLA members? Summer has already flown by and it’s been months since we all saw each other at state conference. I bet you’re somewhat curious as to what your new 2012-2013 state officer team is up to.The state officers met in Farmington this June to plan Dynamic leadership, bond as a team, and practice our speaking skills and workshops. Oh yeah…and we also planned our new state theme!!! I hope you all love it!
My favorite thing that happened with FCCLA this month was traveling to Plano Texas, just outside of Dallas, for an anti-bullying conference called “Rachel’s Challenge” Rachel Joy Scott was seventeen years old when she was the first to be shot at Columbine High School on April 20th, 1999. Her shooters, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, were victims of relentless bullying. “If someone would have complimented me or showed a little bit of kindness, this whole thing would have been avoidable,” said Dylan in a video they made prior to the shooting.“We need to…kick start a revolution. We need to get a chain reaction going here!” (Of violence and hate) ~ Eric HarrisRachel also believed in a chain reaction affect. Completely opposite of Dylan and Eric’s goals, Rachel said in a journal entry, “I have this theory that if one person goes out of their way to show compassion, then it will start a chain reaction of the same.”Rachel was that person. The kind, compassionate one. She was the first person to find a new kid at school and sit by them at lunch. She would help someone on the side of the road with a flat tire. She was considered to be an angel by all who had the pleasure to know her.Also present at the conference was four Holocaust survivors to share their story about the ultimate form of bullying. Chuck Norris and his wife were also there to talk about their new Kick Start Kids martial arts program.Rachel’s Challenge saves over 500 lives a year because their message prevents teen suicides as well as inspires students to start a Friends of Rachel chapter in their schools.Be looking forward to more of Rachel and her story because we will be hearing from them at November Summit and State Conference!
We also enjoyed a fantastic National Convention and I saw some of you at Dynamic Leadership.Next year’s conference will be in Nashville Tennessee! Think about becoming a chapter, region, or state officer next year and join in on the fun!
Also, don’t forget to keep the state executive council updated on all the wonderful things you’re doing for FCCLA this year. We love to know what’s happening and so do other chapters around the state. I encourage you all to write Horizon articles and send them to Kelly Leibold!
~ Olivia Wicklund-MN FCCLA President
