Eighteen members of the Monticello Middle School and High School FCCLA chapters attended the 2016 Wisconsin FCCLA State Leadership Conference on April 18-20, at the Kalahari Resorts and Convention Center.

Claire Klossner was elected to a position on the 2016-17 Wisconsin FCCLA State Executive Council. She will serve as the Vice-President of Career Development. Serving as the voting delegates from our chapters were Seth Culberson, Miah Brokopp, Hannah Zanow and Jacy Rufer.

Seven members competed at the state level of STAR Events. Mackenzie Errthum and Alyssa Holcomb received a silver rating in Focus on Children. Simon Blohowiak and Peter Gustafson competed in Entrepreneurship and were awarded a silver. Receiving gold placings were Sarah Blumer in Career Investigation and Claire Klossner and Emily Koch in Food Innovations. Congratulations to Sarah Blumer, Simon Blohowiak and Peter Gustafson, who qualified for national competition which will be held during the FCCLA National Leadership Conference in San Diego, California, in July. Thanks to Sharon Blohowiak for serving as a judge for state STAR Events. Regional Representative, Sarah Blumer, assisted at the competition.

Representing the Monticello Middle School chapter at the conference were Seth Culberson, Simon Blohowiak, Peter Gustafson, Miah Brokopp, Alyssa Holcomb, Mackenzie Errthum and Sarah Blumer. Accompanying the members were Linda Marty, adviser, and Sharon Blohowiak. The chapter was recognized with a bronze chapter award for their participation at the state conference. Miah Brokopp, Chapter President, accepted a certificate of appreciation from the Wisconsin FCCLA Foundation in recognition of the chapter donation to the Foundation. The chapter also made a donation to the Foundation raffle, which was one of 17 chapter donations. These donations assisted the Foundation in raising $1,400 from their annual raffle during the state conference. This year the state executive council's community service project focused on the FCCLA national program, Student Body, by emphasizing support of your local food pantry. The Monticello Middle School chapter was recognized for their efforts to support Green Cares Food Pantry with their annual "Souper Bowl" food drive among the middle school classes.

Emily Koch, Logan Marty, Dezmond Hanenberger, Casey Schwartzlow, William Spahr, Samantha Gierhart, Claire Klossner, Nick Blumer, Brandi Sarbacker, Hannah Zanow and Jacy Rufer attended from the Monticello High School FCCLA chapter. Emily Koch was recognized as one of five members in the state as "Outstanding Chapter Member." The high school chapter was also recognized by the Wisconsin FCCLA Foundation for their contribution to the annual raffle and their donation to the Foundation. They were named a bronze chapter award winner and were recognized for their contributions to Green Cares Food Pantry through their Halloween Food Drive, t-shirt sale and participation in CTSO week collections.

Linda Marty

Monticello M.S. FCCLA members who competed at the state level of STAR Events competition include Alyssa Holcomb, Sarah Blumer, Mackenzie Errthum, Simon Blohowiak and Peter Gustafson.  Sarah, Simon and Peter will be competing at the national level in July in San Diego.

In addition to state STAR Events competition, election of new officers, and general sessions, members attended breakout sessions. They especially enjoyed sessions on social etiquette and self-defense during which they actually tried out some of moves the instructor demonstrated. Thank you to MFCC (Monticello FCCLA Community Connection) for your financial assistance for members attending the conference.