Missouri Advisor VIPs - 2009-2010 State Executive Council Advisors

The Missouri FCCLA Advisor VIP this week is the entire

2009-2010 State Executive Council Advisor Team!

Without this group of FCCLA Advisor Leaders, we wouldn't be able to have the State Leadership Conference run so smoothly. All those "things" that just seem to "happen" - take months of planning and time to implement onsite.  These great advisors are just like you - they teach full time, run all the regular chapter activities, serve on school committees, and do their best to balance their work and family lives. 

2009-2010 State Executive Council Advisors - Congratulations!

You're Missouri FCCLA Advisor VIPs!

Kathy Kagay, Maysville

Kristi Christy, Chillicothe

Dee Kirby, South Shelby

Louise Lunkenheimer, Nevada Regional Tech Center

Myra McGee, Purdy

Regina Rainey, Zalma

Donna Kothe, North Andrew

Teresa Klott, Van-Far

Joyce Schebaum, Hermann

Beth Beattie, Hermann

Karen Gowan, Portageville

Nancy Bridges, Puxico

Shelley Underwood, Thayer

Jan Hankinson, Humansville

Doris Jolly, La Monte

Marilyn Franken, Tipton

Guest Post: 2010 State Leadership Conference (It's All About The Ribbons)

Guest post by Mrs. Herbert's favorite T.A. of the year, and Chapter Secretary/Reporter, Michelle S.  Cross posted from http://funfacs-shaybert.blogspot.com/

Wow! That would be the defining word I would use to describe State. The conference started with a bang as the State Officers performed a cute skit dressed up as Disney Characters on Sunday Night. What followed was one of the most motivating speakers I have ever heard, Aaron Davis. Now, if you have the chance, you really need to look this guy up on the internet. Not only was he hilarious, but he was inspiring when the conversation turned serious. The whole experience of the night before made me really hopeful about the events to come tomorrow...until I started to practice with K. I was rehearsing in my sleep because I was so nervous. (We ended up performing okay, and I hope we at least get Silver.)

The following pictures are of tonight's activities: our recognition (which is why we are wearing the ribbons), and our fun night of singing and dancing (yes, even our favorite "thriller" Mrs. Herbert moved a little on the dance floor...talk to one of us students at school or ask Mrs. H for the inside joke).  Our name was on several lists of activities we were recognized for, such as Families First, Career Connection, FACTS, Student Body, etc.;

B. and I are recognized as one of the 200 people able to attend State who completed all five Power of One units.

Us again, a slightly clearer picture;

It's all about the ribbons...hence the subtitle (I had the most...sorry I'm a bit proud right now. We all did very well, and if K. wasn't with me up on the Star Events presentation I would've choked horribly.);

We throw our hands in the ai-a-air with Ron Cole as our keynote entertainer. It was absolutely amazing and fun. There wasn't one dull moment at all;

A "thumbs up" for our time at conference;

We're all smiles...even ones who dislike the camera;

Dory and Nemo; guess which one is which correctly and you win a prize...guessing correctly;

Well...you can't be prepared for everything (I'm talking about our expressions haha);

T suddenly became a ladies man...who knew?;

K. and Mrs. H sharing a smile;

All of us together. I wouldn't change a thing about conference...well, I could've been amazingly prepared, that would've been helpful;

All in all, although we almost didn't make it because of the weather, the trip and dedication we had this year was worth it. I honestly wish everyone could've been able to make it up here, you would've had the time of your lives.


Good night everyone! Hope this makes you think about coming up next year!

-Michelle S.

Help Missouri FCCLA Win $25,000!

Since March 1, Missouri FCCLA has been asking members, advisors, alumni and friends to vote for their entry in the Pepsi Refresh Project.  Pepsi is giving away 1.3 million dollars - and Missouri FCCLA has an entry for $25,000 that was selected as a finalist for voting.  We started off in the 200's and have moved all the way up to 65th place.  But, we can only get funded if we make it to the top 10.  

We need your help!

Our proposal is to "help teacher integrate digital media into their classrooms" through a series of digital media mini-camps during summer 2010.  These mini-camps will take place in each of Missouri FCCLA's 14 regions and will help family and consumer sciences teachers learn more about digital technology and how it can be used by both the teacher and the student.  Most teachers want to learn about technology, but they just don't have the time to practice and explore on their own.  Winning this $25,000 can go a long way to helping family and consumer sciences teachers learn more about digital media so that students can use these tools for achievement in class and in FCCLA.  You can read about our project idea at http://www.refresheverything.com/mofccladigitalmediacamps

We only have 7 days left to vote - please sign up (it only takes an e-mail account) and vote daily until March 31 for our project.  During the recent FCCLA State Leadership Conference, we heard time and again from STUDENTS that they really hope their teachers can participate in these mini-camps.  The students lined up to vote during the conference.  Now how about you?

Thanks so much - we really appreciate your help (and your votes!)

Welcome 2010-11 State President Cara Gooch

Hi, I'm Cara Gooch from Bolivar, MO and I'm the 2010-11 State President.  I would like to thank my awesome advisor Betty Glasgow, wonderful parents and friends for their support.  With FCCLA dreams do come true!  This year's State Leadership Conference was a blast.  With the help of the workshops, keynote speakers and the 2009-2010 State Officers I have "Discovered the Magic of Leadership."  Thank you to everyone who helped plan the State Leadership Conference.  Without you, the conference wouldn't run smoothly. 

I hope to see many Missouri FCCLA members throughout the year, including National Leadership Conference in Chicago and the 2010 National Cluster Meeting in St. Louis.  I can't wait to have a fun and exciting year as your State President!

Missouri FCCLA VIP - Melissa Prevedel

This week's Missouri FCCLA Advisor VIP is Melissa Prevedel from Strafford High School.  Here's what her nominator wrote:

This is Melissa's first year at Strafford High School.  She has worked to increase their FCCLA membership this year and make their chapter active.  Ms. Prevedel recruited the state vice-president and regional officers to come to their meeting to create enthusiasm for FCCLA membership.  They also demonstrated STAR Events so the Strafford students would know what STAR Events projects look like and how to do them.  They have made a great start this year thanks to Ms. Prevedel's leadership!

Congratulations Melissa Prevadel, you're a Missouri FCCLA Advisor VIP!

Closing General Session

STAR Events Recognition Session

Students are anxiously awaiting the results of STAR Events. We will be live at 9:30.

Business and Recognition Session

We are just about to begin the LIVE blogging of the Business and Recognition Session.

FCCLA Media Team

What’s going on with the FCCLA Media Team? Several members, advisors, and guests have asked what is going on with all of the laptops and cameras they are seeing at the conference. This year the conference is being covered on a whole new level.

Fifteen FCCLA members and advisors are busy interviewing, taking pictures and video, and blogging about conference activities. Students applied to be a part of the Media Team during the conference. They are learning more about members, speakers, and conference events by serving on the team. If you see Media Team members around they would love to hear what you are doing in your school and community.

Seeing Stars

Submitted by Amanda Heflin. She is blogging as part of the FCCLA Media Team during State Conference.

Sharetta, Martavia, and Jasymine from Malden High are the stars today. When we say stars we mean Star Event Participants. As students sat in the hallway preparing to compete they told us about their project for the Chapter Service STAR Event. Their project helped feed the less fortunate. They hosted food drives, prepared Thanksgiving meals, and donated over 900 pounds of food! Keep up the good work girls!

Stars from Stanberry High School told us about how they were trying to get people to have more family meals together. By cooking meals and sending out order forms to restaurants they helped promote family dinners. Good luck today Stanberry members.

You can check out other STAR Events during the demonstrations this afternoon in the Windsor Ballrooms or by viewing the STAR Event displays and manuals in the Expo Center at 4:30 p.m.

Day 1 of SLC

The first day of the conference has been a busy one for many of the 1800 students in Columbia for the 2010 State Leadership Conference. The current State Executive Council and the incoming officers were busy rehearsing for their sessions over the next two days. At the State Executive Council Dinner, officers, families, administrators, and scholarship winners were recognized for their hard work.

Mr. Mark Koca, Humansville Schools, and Dr. Larry Brown, Marionville Schools, were awarded the Outstanding School Administrator Award at the Opening General Session tonight. Students were challenged by Aaron Davis, keynote speaker, to keep dreaming big and go for what is important.

As the night wrapped up, the FCCLA Media Team was busy updating Facebook and Twitter with the night’s activities. You can keep up with Monday’s events on Facebook, Twitter, and the blog.

Opening General Session

We are about to kick off the Ultimate Leadership Experience in Columbia with the Missouri FCCLA State Leadership Conference. 1800 members and an awesome State Executive Council are going to Discover the Magic of Leadership!

Live Blogging during the State Leadership Conference

Are you ready to Discover the Magic of Leadership? You can keep up with the sessions and members on the Missouri FCCLA Blog during the conference. We will be blogging throughout the conference and will have live blogging during the general sessions.

As part of the live blogging, you can participate in polls, see pictures and videos, and make comments. So just because you aren't joining us in Columbia, doesn't mean you can't be a part of the Ultimate Leadership Experience! Check out the times and dates below that we will be LIVE. We look forward to sharing the conference with you.

• Sunday, March 21 from 7:30-9:00 p.m. for the Opening General Session
• Monday, March 22 from 8:00-9:30 p.m. for the Business, Program, and Recognition Session
• Tuesday, March 23 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. for the STAR Events Recognition Session
• Tuesday, March 23 from 11:00 a.m.-11:45 a.m. for the Closing General Session

This week's Missouri FCCLA Advisor VIP is Kathy Kagay, from Maysville High School. Her son, Britt, is a current member of the State Executive Council and nominated his mom for this recognition. Here's what he had to say -


Mrs. Kagay has been the long-time FCCLA advisor at Maysville High School. She has always been encouraging to members in all aspects of FCCLA and has never turned down a challenge. Growing up around the Maysville chapter, I have noticed the many hours she has put into FCCLA. She helps students step out of their comfort zones and helps them accomplish things they never dreamed possible. She is retiring after this year but I know she will always be part of FCCLA. My mother, Mrs. Kagay, has changed Maysville FCCLA forever, for the better.

Congratulations Kathy Kagay!

You're a Missouri FCCLA VIP!

Missouri FCCLA Advisor VIP - Renee Meents

Renee Meents, from Greenfield High School, is this week's advisor VIP!  Here is what her nominator submitted:

Renee Meents has been advising FCCLA chapters for about 30 years.  She has taught in the Lockwood and Greenfield schools districts.  This year she has three regional officers, including president.  Many people, after teaching 30 years, wouldn't be enthused about starting a NEW project, but Mrs. Meent's FCCLA chapter hosted a haunted school at Halloween, which was a very successful fundraiser.  Something else not every teacher would do, but she did, was to spend the night in a cardboard box with her studnets as part of a community service project. 

Her classes are full, and this year she has 77 members in her FCCLA chapter.  It is a joy to work with her in Region 11.  If changes things in our region means that FCCLA members benefit, she is willing to change.  She is a great mentor to new (and not-so-new) advisors in our region, as well as active in MoACTE and MoEFACS.  Thank you, Mrs. Meents, for being a valuable part of Region 11 and Missouri FCCLA!

Congratulations Renee Meents, you're a Missouri FCCLA VIP!

Chapter Spotlight: La Monte FCCLA

Denim and Doughnuts

Submitted by Sydney Guthrie, Region 12 State Vice President
FCCLA chapters and other organizations around the United States are finding fun and exciting ways to raise funds for the Children’s Miracle Network. The La Monte FCCLA chapter in La Monte, Missouri sponsored a ‘Denim and Doughnuts’ week for their high school January 12-15. They successfully raised $243.40!

During this week, members sold doughnuts for fifty cents and teachers were allowed to wear jeans for a dollar donation each day. Despite suffering some difficulties because of snow days and early outs, the chapter worked diligently to make the project a success and provide for suffering children that the Children’s Miracle Network supports. It is groups like La Monte FCCLA, other FCCLA chapters and organizations that support the Children’s Miracle Network and help them provide financial assistance to families that cannot always pay for their child’s medical expenses.

Congratulations La Monte FCCLA for your work with the FCCLA DigIt! Campaign for Children's Miracle Network!

Chapter Spotlight: Lathrop FCCLA

Thanks to Catherine Tipton, National Officer Candidate, for submitting this week's Chapter Spotlight article.

Lathrop FCCLA Pops for Tabs

This winter, Lathrop High School FCCLA students teamed up with the Ronald McDonald House in Kansas City. After having some students and local families who were benefitted by the Ronald McDonald House, the chapter felt this was a great opportunity to help give back. Students held a competitive pop tab drive between Seminar classes with the winning class receiving a pizza party. With 97 pounds of pop tabs donated, the Ronald McDonald House was so pleased with the contribution that they invited the chapter to come and visit the House. While there students completed a variety of service projects and learned more about the Ronald McDonald House and its efforts to provide a home away from home for families who are dealing with young children with illnesses. The chapter looks forward to a continued partnership with the Ronald McDonald House charities. Well done Lathrop FCCLA!

Missouri FCCLA Advisor VIP - Jennifer Mahnken

This week's Missouri FCCLA Advisor VIP is Jennifer Mahnken from Norborne High School.  Her nominator had this to say:

Jennifer Mahnken has done some amazing things with her students over the past three years.  She has gotten parents involved by reinstating the FCCLA booster club aand encouraging all parents to be part of their child's FCCLA experience.  The booster club meets regularly to raise money to help pay dues of students who cannot afford them and to help students raise money to attend conferences.  This year the booster club raised $2500 for members to attend a cluster meeting!  Each member attending the conference only had to pay $40 out of pocket in addition to their spending money for food and souvenirs.  In addition to getting the parents actively involved, Jennifer encourages and believes in each of her students!  Many of her students enjoy being part of her programs because she creates a non-competitive environment where every student has the same opportunities.

As parent and Norborne FCCLA Booster Club member Sherry Whipkins said, "She encourages FCCLA to be about families being involved and just in general makes being in the Norborne FCCLA fun for all of us!"  Thanks Jennifer, for being an amazing advisor ir Region 2!

Congratulations Jennifer Mahnken - you're a Missouri FCCLA Advisor VIP!