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Jacobsen Top 10 Finalist and Gold Medal Winner at FCCLA National Conference

July 11, 2025

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“We are thrilled to share that Shayla Jacobsen has returned as a Top 10 Finalist and Gold Medal earner from the 2024 FCCLA National Leadership Conference (NLC) held in Orlando, FL from July 5-9.  She competed on Sunday, so it was a long wait till Wednesday to get the results,” Jacobsen stated.  “Shayla also competed in Challenge Tests while there, testing her knowledge in the areas of Child Development and Teaching. We are waiting for her placement results.”

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The conference themed "Dare to Dream" drew more than 10,000 students, educators, and guests from across the nation. This conference provided a valuable platform for attendees to expand their leadership skills, sharpen their talents, explore career pathways, and listen to inspiring speakers.

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During the conference, Shayla and Adviser Jacobsen were able to attend the EXPO to gain information about career options, educational resources, fundraisers, and training opportunities. Saturday-Tuesday STAR competitions took place. When you weren’t competing, there were breakout sessions “Red Talks” and Workshops to attend such as: Resilience is Everything: Your Ability to Bounce Back Matters; Leadership Unlocked: Solving the Puzzle Together; Dare to Dream: embracing Leadership and Achieving Your Goals; The Power of Personality: Mastering Leadership Styles; and many more. Adviser Jacobsen attended Chapter Adviser Networking Roundtables and sharing sessions throughout the conference gaining ideas, resources, and networking opportunities.  

Throughout the week several additional awards and business sessions along with state meetings also held in addition to the STAR event competitions. Shayla also participated in the FCS Signing Event showing her commitment to a career in FCS Career Education:  Early Childhood Education.

National and Nebraska FCCLA built in events and flexibility to the schedule which allowed members to meet others across the nation. Members would enthusiastically meet/greet each other to exchange pins all day long every day.  Nebraska, which was one of eight states having the largest attendance of over 300 attendees, organized a state event to attend Magic Kingdom Monday night after sessions ended. Between events the Plainview Chapter had time to tour Chocolate Kingdom and see the process from cocoa bean to a chocolate bar and left with a personalized chocolate bar; tour the Titanic Exhibition, and visit Disney Springs. 

Looking ahead, FCCLA will be hosting its next National Leadership Conference in Washington DC from July 6-10, 2026.

Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) is a dynamic and effective student-led nation-based organization supporting youth on their journey to become the leaders of tomorrow and helping them address important personal, family, work, and societal issues through Family and Consumer Sciences education. FCCLA has over 240,000 members and more than 5,200 chapters across the nation.

FCCLA: The Ultimate Leadership Experience is unique among youth organizations because its programs are planned and run by members. It is the only career and technical intracurricular student organization with a central focus on careers that support families. Participation in national FCCLA programs and chapter activities aids members in becoming strong leaders in their families, careers, and communities.