Family, Career and Community Leaders of America members are winners, but the celebration could be short-lived without funding.
“Unless we can obtain funding for the trip, we won’t be able to go continue on to nationals,” said Ann Terry, Warren County High School FCCLA advisor, along with Suzanne Prater and Bethani Fakes.
The financial situation facing the club came to light after group members attended the FCCLA State Leadership Conference in Nashville at the Opry Hotel last week and walked away competition winners.
While there, they entered Warren County community service projects into state competition and won in two areas:
• Taking first place were Cheyenne Clark, Makaliah Bleedner and Lindsey Basham for a project called Traveling Pants. The event collected approximately 500 pairs of new and gently used pants and held a distribution day offering them free of the public.
• “X the Text” project brought home first place when presented by Hunter Keeton and Elizabeth Whitaker. The event was to encourage the community to not text and drive, as well as inform on the dangers thereof.
After winning at state, both teams have been invited to the 2011 National Leadership Conference in California for a chance to continue the winning streak for their group, their school, and their community, says Terry.
“Sadly, that’s pretty much where the good news ends,” she said. “Unless we can get funding from somewhere, it looks as if we won’t be able to attend nationals.”
The competition is in Anaheim from July 10-14. Each member is responsible for covering their own expenses — airfare, hotel, meals, etc. — during the conference.
Terry has decided to reach out to the public to help group members achieve their California dreams.
“We have five girls and it looks like they will need about $1,000 each,” she said. “Every little bit helps. We may have to send out mass e-mails or something because time is running out. We need to make reservations and get airplane tickets as soon as possible.”
For more information on FCCLA or to make a donation, contact Ann Terry at 668-5858 ext. 126, or by e-mail at terrya@k12tn.net. Donations can be sent to Warren County High School, c/o FCCLA Ann Terry, 199 Pioneer Lane, McMinnville 37110.