From left: 1st place- Mystery Basket- Mikai Parks, 2nd place- Cupcake Battle- Kendall Jackson, 2nd place- Fashion Construction- Priscilla Gonzalez, 6th place- Job Interview- Kiannah Murray, 4th place- Fashion Construction- Cho Meh and 1st place- Teach and Train- Tiara Vallejo.
Six Lufkin High School students are advancing to state competition in Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA). The regional FCCLA winners will advance to state competition April 5-7 in Dallas, Texas. Lufkin ISD hasn’t competed in this event since 2004 due to participation in the local Angelina County Fair. Now that the fair has moved to a later date, Lufkin ISD was able to register students for STAR events at the FCCLA.
STAR ( Students Taking Action with Recognition) events are competitive events in which members are recognized for proficiency and achievement in chapter and individual projects, leadership skills, and career preparation. Each event is designed to help members develop specific lifetime skills in character development, creative and critical thinking, interpersonal communications, practical knowledge, and career preparation.
Mikai Parks placed first place in Mystery Basket, an individual event that recognizes participants enrolled in occupational food service training programs for their ability to display knowledge and skill-based learning of Culinary Arts. Students produce a single plate containing a serving of protein, starch, and a vegetable. Participants are judged on proper use of culinary tools, professional culinary techniques, personal creativity, and safety. The student must develop a time allotment plan, create a menu to be produced, and prepare and plate the menu in an allotted time frame.
Tiera Vallejo also received first place in Teach and Train, which is an individual event that recognizes participants for their exploration of the education and training fields through extensive research, teacher interviews and hands-on experience in the classroom as a result of an internship in the Education and Training Family & Consumer Science course. Participants must prepare a portfolio of the teaching training career, and prepare and execute a complete lesson plan including three activities or a workshop plan. Students present a 20-minute oral presentation to professional evaluators.
Priscilla Gonzalez placed second and Cho Meh placed fourth in Fashion Construction, an individual event that allows participants to apply fashion construction skills learned in Family & Consumer Science courses to create a display using samples of their skills.
Kendall Jackson placed second in the Cupcake Battle, an individual event that promotes Hospitality and Culinary Arts. Each student must bake, decorate and display six cupcakes that are evaluated on overall appearance, cake flavor, texture, doneness, frosting consistency, flavor, originality, and mise en place. Participants also prepare a file folder and respond to evaluator questions.
Kiannah Murray placed sixth in Interviewing Skills, an individual event that recognizes participants who use Family & Consumer Science or related occupations skills to develop a portfolio, participate in an interview, and communicate a personal understanding of job requirements. Students must prepare a portfolio, including a job application, and express their communication skills and job knowledge through an interview.
Other students who attended are: Dariana Monsivais, Said Rosales, Brittany Shires, LaQueria White, Haley Young, and Jaden Wortham.