Members of the Ord FCCLA Chapter of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) recently represented Ord Public Schools at the 2026 FCCLA National Leadership Conference, held July 6–10 in Washington, D.C.
The chapter was among 358 delegates representing Nebraska and more than 10,000 FCCLA Members, Advisers, and guests from across the nation, Puerto Rico, and American Samoa who gathered for five days of leadership development, career exploration, competition, recognition, service, and connection.
Family, Career and Community Leaders of America is a national Career and Technical Student Organization for students enrolled in Family and Consumer Sciences education. Through classroom instruction and hands-on FCCLA experiences, students develop leadership, workplace readiness, technical, communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills while preparing for careers that strengthen families, industries, and communities.
The FCCLA National Leadership Conference is the organization’s largest annual gathering. It brings students and educators from across the country together to participate in Competitive Events, leadership sessions, educational workshops, career exploration opportunities, national recognition programs, networking experiences, and activities that connect classroom learning with real-world careers. The conference gives students the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, discover new possibilities, build confidence, and learn alongside peers and professionals from across the nation.
The 2026 conference marked a historic moment for FCCLA. Attendees gathered in the nation’s capital as Washington, D.C., and communities across the country commemorated America’s 250th anniversary. Against the backdrop of this national celebration, FCCLA Members honored the leadership and service that shaped the country while preparing to help lead its next chapter.
The 2025–2026 FCCLA annual theme, ConneCTEd, highlighted the powerful role connection plays in career readiness and leadership development. Through FCCLA, students connect classroom learning with real-world opportunities, personal interests with future goals, and individual leadership with a national network of peers, educators, and professionals.
This year, the Ord FCCLA had 21 members who qualified and competed in FCCLA Competitive Events, which challenge students to apply the knowledge and skills developed through Family and Consumer Sciences education to real-world issues, careers, and community needs. The following students competed in National FCCLA STAR projects and received the respective awards:
* Carmen Wagner & Alyssa Lawrence
* Chapter in Review Display- Level 3
* TOP TEN FINALIST- Gold- 5th Place
* Macy Sitz & Ella Deden
* Entrepreneurship- Level 2
*TOP TEN FINALIST- Gold- 7th Place
* Chloe Petska & Rori Piskorski
* Entrepreneurship- Level 1
* Silver
* Maci Bloom & Alexis Bloom
* Event Management- Level 2
* Silver
* Macyn Johnson
* FCCLA Chapter Website- Level 2
*TOP TEN FINALIST- Gold- 8th Place
* Daisy Shafer & Kinley Proskocil
* Hospitality, Tourism & Recreation- Level 2
* Silver
* Raena Lansman
* Hospitality, Tourism & Recreation- Level 1
*TOP TEN FINALIST- NATIONAL RUNNER-UP CHAMPION- Gold
* Evie Weber
* Interior Design- Level 1
* Silver- 11th Place
* Natalie Lytle
* Leadership- Level 3
* Gold
* Halle Woolsey
* Leadership- Level 2
* Silver
* Katrina Cassell
* Personal Finance- Level 3
* TOP TEN FINALIST- Gold- 5th Place
* Koebin Edghill & Preston Winer
* Professional Presentation- Level 1
* TOP TEN FINALIST- Silver- 10th Place
* Mya Beland & Krissy Linder
* Repurpose & Redesign- Level 3
* Gold
* Emerson Yantzie
* Say Yes to FCS- Level 2
* TOP TEN FINALIST- Gold- 4th Place
The conference demonstrated that leadership is not limited to a title or a single moment. It is developed through every connection made, challenge accepted, skill strengthened, and opportunity used to serve others. Through FCCLA, students are not simply preparing for the future. They are gaining the experience and confidence to help shape it. Our chapter could not be as successful without our community’s support, and we are grateful for the many businesses, individuals, and organizations that have supported our chapter through events, fundraisers, and partnerships!
For more information on how you can support the Ord FCCLA student members in the future, please reach out to Ord FCCLA Chapter Adviser Rachel Hornickel at rhornickel@ordps.org