By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Paramo earns silver medal at FCCLA event
M. Paramo NLC 2015 3
Effingham County High Schools Martha Paramo earned a silver medal in food innovations at the FCCLA National Leadership Conferences STAR events. - photo by Photo provided

Martha Paramo from Effingham College and Career Academy competed in food innovations and brought home a silver medal from the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America National Leadership Conference.

More than 7,700 FCCLA student leaders, members and advisers attended the event, held from July 6-9 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

The conference provided opportunities for students and advisers to come together for fun and to listen to inspiring speakers, as well as to expand leadership skills, sharpen talents and explore career pathways.

The theme of this year’s conference was “Together We Are Healthy” and attendees were challenged to explore the fitness of body, mind and spirit that is a product of healthy attitudes and habits; and to pursue this whole health through the conference’s great learning and networking opportunities.

“We were delighted to gather great speakers, leadership development initiatives and the energy of the thousands of students who came to our nation’s capital for this conference, but realize the best part is that these students will take the skills and knowledge they have learned and the relationships they have developed here, and apply them to help make a positive difference in their own schools and communities when they return home,” said Sandy Spavone, FCCLA executive director.

In addition to the many learning and networking experiences offered at the conference, more than 30 family and consumer sciences related events, also known as STAR (Students Taking Action with Recognition) Events were offered, providing competitions in such areas as culinary arts, Knowledge Bowl, career investigation, and fashion construction for more than 4,500 event participants.

A highlight of the conference was a youth rally held on Capitol Hill for the dual purpose of celebrating the organization’s 70th anniversary and advocating for strong Family and Consumer Sciences education in schools. Themed, “70 Years Strong,” the event drew more than 3,000 FCCLA members and bathed the Capitol grounds in a sea of FCCLA red. After the rally, members moved into the Capitol to meet personally with their Congressional representatives to share their stories of how FACS education has impacted them.

For more information about National FCCLA, its programs, conferences and members, contact Krystle Shuman at Effingham College and Career Academy or visit gafccla.com.