Eisenhower High School has continued to work with Midcolumbia Fisheries, Pacific Education Institute, and the Yakima Basin Environmental Education Program to pilot several programs. The latest program being piloted is a summer ecology internship. During the summer, students can earn a science credit while gaining job experience in forest restoration, conservation, and trout/salmon restoration. Over the last several weeks, students have been going to several different sites. At these sites, students have created drip lines, weeded, mulched, and been a part of the Midcolumbia team to restore the forest in several areas. As the program progresses, students will continue their work with Midcolumbia and create a public service announcement on the importance of conservation and restoration. 

Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), a Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO),  recognized FCCLA members who completed all 5 Power of One Projects during the 2021-22 school year from across the United States, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia during the opening session of this annual National Leadership Conference, June 29 through July 3 in San Diego, CA.

Power of One helps members to find and use their personal power. Members set their own goals, work to achieve them, and enjoy the results. The skills members learn in Power of One help them now and in the future with school, friends and family, and on the job.

Power of One Projects are:

• A Better You - improve personal traits
• Family Ties - get along better with family members
• Working on Working - explore work options, prepare for a career, or sharpen skills useful in business
• Take the Lead - develop leadership qualities
• Speak Out for FCCLA - tell others about positive experiences in FCCLA

The following Eisenhower High School FCCLA members completed ALL of their 5 Power of One Projects for 2021-22 school year:  Nathalie Martinez, Bethany Carter, and Evangeline Knerr.

Congratulations!  Way to Go!  So proud of you!

Eisenhower High School from Yakima School District in Washington State had 1 student attend the 2022 FCCLA National Leadership Conference and 2 advisers.  The student was Nathalie Martinez and her FCCLA advisers were Suzanne Walker and Leigh Maxwell. 

Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) held their annual National Leadership Conference in San Diego, CA. As a Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO), FCCLA was pleased to put on an in-person conference for students and advisers. More than 7,000 members and their advisers from across the country took part in this National Leadership Conference, June 29 through July 3, 2022.

Conference attendees had the opportunity to reset, renew, and recharge through participation in professional development workshops for Family and Consumer Sciences teachers and leadership and career exploration sessions for youth attendees, as well as a dynamic keynote speaker, engaging breakout sessions, educational leadership roundtables, an interactive EXPO, Competitive Events, and trading state pins with other conference participants. 

During the conference, Nathalie Martinez from Eisenhower FCCLA competed in FCCLA’s Competitive Events, known as STAR (Students Taking Action with Recognition).   STAR Events are Competitive Events in which members are recognized for their proficiency and achievement in chapter and individual projects, leadership skills, and career preparation. STAR Events allow student to compete individually or as a team. There are more than 30 STAR Events students can choose to compete in, all which recognize participants who demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and abilities to actively identify an issue concerning families, careers, or communities, research the topic, and develop and implement a project to advocate for positive change.

To advance to compete on the national level in a STAR Event, members first compete at the regional and state level. Nathalie Martinez competed in Chapter Service Display-Level 2 and was awarded a gold medal in her STAR Event category and chosen to be the Washington State representative for that event in the national FCCLA STAR Events competition.  Both youth and adults work together in managing the events and serving as evaluators of the participants. Mrs. Suzanne Walker, one of the Eisenhower High School FCCLA Advisers served as adult evaluator for the STAR Event:  Sports Nutrition-Level 2 at the conference. 

STAR Events aim to support student development of knowledge and skills by enhancing the classroom experience and Career Pathway initiatives by equipping students with employable skills and industry insights needed to thrive in the 21^st century. Nathalie received a silver medal in Chapter Service Display-Level 2 STAR Event.   She represented Eisenhower, Yakima School District, and Washington State at the competitive events where students from over 39 states across America came to compete in San Diego. 

Awesome job…Nathalie!  Congratulations on your achievement!