BCTC STUDENTS SHINE AT STATE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

Students from BCTC earned 31 medals at the Annual State Leadership Conference for Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA). The conference was held on March 12-14, 2003 at the Lancaster Host Resort and Conference Center in Lancaster, PA. The theme of the conference was "Get Informed, Get Involved, Get Connected, through FCCLA."

Students from BCTC's Culinary Arts and Occupational Child Development programs competed in numerous leadership and skills events during the two-day period. In the area of culinary arts, 15 medals were achieved. A gold medal was presented to Scott T. Gery, East Campus and Antietam junior. Gery received a $3,000 renewable scholarship from the Culinary Institute of America and a $1,000 scholarship from Johnson and Wales University. He also qualified for the national FCCLA conference in Philadelphia. Silver medals were awarded to four students from the East Campus Culinary Arts program. Karissa M. Kuser, Boyertown Area junior, won for commercial baking. Kuser received a $3,000 renewable scholarship from the Culinary Arts Institute of America. Katie L. Underwood, sophomore, and Julie L. Kline, junior, both from Daniel Boone Area, took silver medals in the category of waiter/waitress and cake decorating, respectively. Jason A. Spencer, Boyertown Area sophomore, took silver in the waiter/waitress category.

Two bronze medals were presented in the Culinary Arts chapter display category to East Campus and Boyertown Area students Michelle L. Kirn and Jenny M. Lawhorne.

BCTC's West Campus Culinary Arts program captured eight medals at the conference. Lee M. Styer, Governor Mifflin senior, took gold in the culinary arts program. Samantha M. Sweigart, Conrad Weiser Area sophomore, earned gold in the waiter/waitress category. Silver medal honors were presented to Phillip P. Polynone, Conrad Weiser Area senior, for culinary arts; Kelly I. Phillips, King's Academy senior, for pastry arts/baking; Mallory L. McDowell, Conrad Weiser Area junior, for pastry arts/cake decorating; Michael W. Folk, Conrad Weiser Area senior, for pastry arts/cake decorating; and Katie E. Hartman, Twin Valley sophomore, for waiter/waitress. A bronze medal for pastry arts/baking was presented to Ian M. Szabo, Governor Mifflin senior.

Students also had the opportunity to participate in a variety of proficiency "STAR"(Students Taking Action for Recognition) events. In these events, students must 1) identify their concerns; 2) set goals; 3) form a plan; 4) act on their plan; and 5) follow up on their project.

Nine medals were awarded to students from the East Campus Occupational Child Development program in STAR events. Three gold medals were presented in the category of entrepreneurship. The event requires participants to develop a small business plan using family and consumer sciences skills and sound business practices. Medal winners were Lisa M. Rawle, Daniel Boone Area senior, Rachael R. Schwenk, Boyertown Area senior, and Michelle E. Hand, Daniel Boone Area senior. All three students received renewable scholarships in the amount of $750 to Johnson and Wales University.

One gold and two silver medals were presented in the chapter service project display category. The chapter service project recognizes chapters that develop and implement an in-depth service project that makes a worthwhile contribution to families, schools and communities. Christina L. Mooney, Daniel Boone Area senior, took the gold medal. Oley Valley juniors Holly M. Shafer and Jessica A. Fisher were awarded silver medals.

Three silver medals were achieved in the national programs in action category. The event recognizes participants who explain the planning process involved in the implementation of a national program project. The project was "Stop the Violence," an awareness program to eliminate school violence. Silver medals were awarded to Oley Valley juniors Christine N. Helmick, Tiffiny M. Breneiser, and Alicia M. Brey.

At the West Campus, seven medals were presented to students in the Occupational Child Development program in FCCLA STAR events. Kristy M.Godoy, Daniel Boone Area senior, captured gold in the "Focus on Children" category. Sarah M. Stufflet, Governor Mifflin senior, took gold in the chapter service project manual. Two silver medals were awarded to Ashley R. Ellingsworth, Conrad Weiser Area junior, and Lyndsey A. Mazaika, Hamburg Area junior, for their efforts in the chapter showcase manual competition. In the chapter showcase display category, Schuylkill Valley juniors Ashley P. Coleman and Amanda E. Spatz brought home silver medals. Amber L. Williams, Fleetwood Area senior, took bronze in the early childhood category. Styer, Stufflet, Ellingsworth, Mazaika, and Godoy received top scores in their events and will represent BCTC at the national competition in Philadelphia.