All 26 FCCLA Members Qualify For State!
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The red jackets were back in action on January 21, 2026 at St. Edward High School as members of the Leigh Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) chapter showcased their skills and leadership at the District STAR Event Competition.
26 students from Leigh FCCLA competed in 13 different STAR (Students Taking Action with Recognition) Events, demonstrating their dedication to developing leadership skills, career preparation, and making a positive impact on their communities.
Every single group and competitor qualified for the state competition!
Mrs. Megan Hillen, Leigh FCCLA Chapter Adviser, praised the students for their hard work and commitment: “Our students had a very successful day at the FCCLA District 5 STAR Competition. I am proud of the hard work they put into their projects, and it is rewarding to see those efforts recognized. Having all competitors qualify for the state competition is a testament to their hard work and leadership.”
Highlights from the competition include:
- Ava Kasik, Karly Wendt, and Nevaeh Zulkoski, competing in Level 3 Focus on Children, earned a gold medal and 1st place, qualifying for state.
- Luke Eisenmann and Kyle McMullin, competing in Level 3 Repurpose and Redesign, earned a gold medal and 3rd place, qualifying for state.
- Elizabeth Hoffman, competing in Level 3 Job Interview, earned a gold medal and 1st place, qualifying for state.
- Ella Higby and Madelyn Freudenburg, competing in Level 3 National Programs in Action, earned a gold medal and 2nd place, qualifying for state.
- Vylet Hollatz and Emersyn Urban, competing in Level 3 Chapter Service Project Display, earned a silver medal and 1st place, qualifying for state.
- Sydney Messerlie, competing in Level 3 Teaching Strategies, earned a gold medal and 1st place, qualifying for state.
- Jocelyn Donnely and Halle Korth, competing in Level 3 Chapter in Review Display, earned silver medal and 3rd place, qualifying for state.
- Trevor Hoffman, competing Level 3 Entrepreneurship, earned a gold medal and 2nd place, qualifying for state.
- Averi Clausen, Avery Kuester, and Wyatt Eisenmann, competing in Level 2 Sports Nutrition, earned a gold medal and 1st place, qualifying for state.
- Lainey Urban, competing in Level 2 Career Investigation, earned silver medal and 1st place, qualifying for state.
- Eisley Urban, Khloe Kabes, and Emery Malena, competing in Level 1 Professional Presentation, earned a silver medal and 1st place, qualifying for state.
- Ella Hansen and Kinna Closson, competing in Level 1 National Programs in Action, earned a silver medal and 2nd place, qualifying for state.
- Layla Hollatz, Mariah Kasik, and Harper Wendt, competing in Level 1 Focus on Children, qualifying for state.
The state qualifiers are now preparing to compete at the Nebraska FCCLA State STAR Event Competition, which will take place on Monday, March 31, 2026, in Lincoln, NE. Their achievements at the district level have set the stage for even greater accomplishments in the months to come.
Leigh Chapter President, senior Elizabeth Hoffman, said, “I'm super happy to be part of such a great chapter in which everybody keeps qualifying for state. It was a bit chilly for an early morning drive to St. Edward—especially trying to load and haul an entire piano for my event—but we stuck it out and everybody did so well on their projects that it was totally worth it. It was a few people's first year competing and a few of us had our last district STAR ever, so I'm glad to have had the opportunity to spend time with my peers growing all sorts of skills and enacting community change along the way. Looking forward to state in March!”