FCCLA students tell board their Capitol Hill visits 'life changing,' ask for support to attend nationals
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Summary
Students and adviser Kelly Gard reported on attending the FCCLA Capitol Leadership conference, meeting congressional staff and representatives about Perkins funding and FCCLA advocacy, and asked the board to support attendance at national meetings in Washington, D.C.
Kelly Gard and members of the district’s FCCLA Capital Leadership team told the Fremont County School District #25 board about their recent trip to a Capitol Leadership conference, describing the experience as “life changing” and emphasizing the value of student advocacy.
"We got the ability to meet with representatives from Representative Hageman and Congresswoman Loomis and... Barrasso," said a student presenter who summarized the delegation's meetings on Capitol Hill. The students said they practiced elevator pitches, met industry experts, and discussed continued federal funding for Perkins and for career and technical student organizations.
Student presenters described networking with peers from other states, attending workshops and a panel with industry experts, and participating in a roundtable that prepared them to advocate on behalf of FCCLA. One student said representatives offered on-the-spot internship opportunities and letters of recommendation: "they actually offered internships on the spot," a presenter said, calling that offer "life changing."
Board members praised the students for representing the district. During the discussion the students requested permission to pursue attendance at nationals in Washington, D.C., noting that one peer is planning to run for national office.
The presentation included details of the students’ preparation and highlights of meetings with congressional offices; board members encouraged the students to take advantage of the opportunities reported. The board did not record a separate formal vote in the transcript on the nationals request during this presentation; subsequent agenda items included separate, unrelated travel approvals.
The FCCLA presentation ran as a recognition and informational item; the students and adviser thanked the board for support of extracurricular, leadership and CTE-related opportunities.
The board moved next to the Special Services update and other business on the agenda.