The Cherokee School Board meeting on September 9, 2025, featured a presentation by members of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), highlighting their recent achievements at the National Leadership Conference (NLC). The presentation was led by Victoria Spencer, the FCCLA advisor, along with students Harper Larimore and Kaylee Eckhart, who shared their experiences and successes from the summer event.

The delegation from Cherokee included 17 competitors, marking the largest group the chapter has ever sent to the NLC. The students celebrated significant accomplishments, with 10 members recognized as top 10 finalists in various events. Notably, three students—Kaylee Eckhart, Kaylee Patterson, and Jennifer Salinas—secured third place nationally, while four members, including Larimore, were crowned national champions.

In addition to competitive events, the students engaged in leadership presentations, with Zoe Stout delivering a Red Talk on SMART goals and motivation, and Darren Moody leading a workshop on personal growth within FCCLA. The students expressed pride in their ability to present to a national audience and the personal growth they experienced during the trip.

The conference also provided life-changing experiences for many participants, with several students flying for the first time and stepping outside their familiar surroundings. The students emphasized the importance of community support in making the trip possible and expressed hope that the skills and lessons learned would positively impact their school and community.

The meeting concluded with gratitude for the opportunities provided by the school district, underscoring the value of such experiences in fostering leadership and personal development among students.