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Cherokee FCCLA Returns from San Diego with Multiple National Winners

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA (June 29-July 3, 2022) – The 77th FCCLA National Leadership Conference was back in full force, after two years of virtual and hybrid conferences.  There were more than 7,000 participants in the event.

Oklahoma FCCLA sent over 300 delegates with 152 students competing in 91 events. During the recognition session, Oklahoma had 41 Top 10 qualifiers and had 10 National Champions, five National Runners-Up, and three National Third Place events. Oklahoma FCCLA had a record-breaking membership year, with 14,700 members, allowing a record-breaking nine students to serve as Voting Delegates for the state. Abby Guffy from Cherokee served as one the nine voting delegates and Tessa Littlefield was the alternate voting delegate. 

Cherokee FCCLA claimed its spot amongst the best of the best in competitive events. Kynli Patterson was named the National Champion in Level 1 of the Career Investigation STAR Event. Career Investigation recognizes participants for their ability to perform self-assessments, research and explore a career, set career goals, create a plan for achieving goals, and describe the relationship of Family and Consumer Sciences coursework to the selected career. Participants must prepare a portfolio and an oral presentation. In addition, Carson Schanbacher received a silver medal in Level 2 of Career Investigation. 

Hope Jordan was named the National Runner-Up in Level 2 of the Say Yes to FCS Education STAR Event. Say Yes to FCS Education recognizes participants who demonstrate the knowledge and skills needed to explore and experience the career of being a Family and Consumer Sciences educator. Participants must prepare a portfolio, conduct classroom observations, plan and execute a lesson, develop an FCCLA integration plan, and deliver an oral presentation.

During the Recognition General Session, Abby Guffy received the national runner-up award in the Virtual Business Challenge while Hope Jordan received the 3rd place national award. The FCCLA/Knowledge Matters Virtual Business Challenge encourages FCCLA members to test their personal finance skills through an online simulation. Participants must find housing, employment, open checking and savings accounts, and many other financial skills for a simulated fifteen years. The goal is to obtain the highest net worth at the end of the time period. 

“I am incredibly proud of Oklahoma FCCLA and the amazing year we had”, said FCCLA State Adviser Brittani Phillips. “Our delegation showed the rest of the nation that the Oklahoma FCCLA standard is alive and well. Our name was called for numerous awards, our delegation was the most spirited, and it made everyone extremely proud to be from Oklahoma.” 

In addition to those competing and serving as voting delegates, Lake Lyon served as an evaluator for Level 3 of the Sports Nutrition STAR Event. Gracia Jackson served as a Youth Room Consultant for Level 2 of the Sports Nutrition STAR Event.

Conference highlights include Red Talks, led by FCCLA members, The “bucket list” keynote speaker Kenyon Salo, and a special event outing to the world-famous San Diego Zoo. “For me, the most memorable moments were watching the delegation cheer and get so excited when any Oklahoman’s name was called. We were one delegation, cheering on our entire state, and seeing the student’s excitement and pride is exactly what this is all about” said Phillips.  

The National FCCLA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 199,000 student members in 46 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.


Group - L to R: Gracia Jackson, Abby Guffy, Hope Jordan, Lake Lyon, Kynli Patterson, Carson Schanbacher, Tessa Littlefield

Kynli Patterson - Kynli Patterson was named the Level 1 National Champion in Career Investigation

Hope Jordan - Hope Jordan was named the Level 2 National Runner-Up in Say Yes to FCS Education. In addition, Hope received the third place national award for the Virtual Business Challenge.

Abby Guffy - Abby Guffy was the National Runner-Up in the Virtual Business Challenge

Carson Schanbacher - Carson Schanbacher received a silver medal in Level 2 of Career Investigation