Students learn community leadership skills
By Holly Neumann
The Iola-Scandinavia School District now offers students the opportunity to participate in Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA).
FCCLA is a national organization that helps students become leaders in their families, careers and communities.
It addresses personal, family, work and societal issues through Family and Consumer Sciences education.
I-S teacher Stacy Bestul is heading the program.
She said her classes are fulll of students with a passion for this.
“I believe this can be an organization for any student,” Bestul said. “It provides opportunity in many different areas. The skills the students will learn can be used in any career field.”
These skills include character development, critical thinking, communication, practical knowledge, community involvement and career preparation.
The main career pathways FCCLA focuses on are human services; hospitality and tourism; education and training; visual arts and design; and the application of real world skills.
“Individuals require many skills to be college and career ready, including academic knowledge, technical expertise and a set of general, cross-cutting abilities called ‘employability skills,’” she said.
Chapter’s first year
This is the first year I-S has a chapter.
“We are all learning how this organization operates,” said Bestul. “We are not getting 100% involved in all the activities that FCCLA has to offer yet.”
FCCLA is currently ringing bells for the Salvation Army, decorating a tree at The Willows, selling Kwik Trip Car Wash cards and baking and decorating holiday cut out cookies.
“We will also be selling flowers at the musical,” said Bestul. “Our spring project will be making fleece blankets to donate to the Children’s Hospital.”
In the future, they will participate in leadership summits and competitive events at the regional, state and national levels.
They will also have the opportunity to get involved in such volunteering, fundraising and community activities.
FCCLA is a student organization and will be completely funded by their endeavors.
“We will do this by fundraisers throughout the school year,” said Bestul. “Students will also need to pay membership fees.”
She is excited the members of the organization are willing to try something new.
“I think it is a great organization to get involved in,” said Bestul. “My hope is to inspire confident, community minded, self-sufficient leaders in our school.”