Students from the Frankfort High School chapter of FCCLA recently returned from the Indiana FCCLA State Competition, with every student competitor earning a medal in their respective events.
FCCLA, which stands for Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, is a national student organization connected to Family and Consumer Sciences classes. The program helps students explore career paths in areas such as human services, hospitality, education, and design while developing leadership and workplace skills that prepare them for both college and careers.
Each school year, students complete projects connected to their coursework and present them during competitive events at the state level. Seventeen FHS students traveled to Muncie for the 2026 overnight competition, while a few others submitted projects virtually. In total, 20 students competed. The group earned six gold medals, nine silver, and five bronze – an impressive accomplishment for a program that first attended the state competition just last year. Students who qualify at the state level also have the opportunity to attend the national FCCLA conference, which is hosted in a different state each year.
The FCCLA club at Frankfort High School was started in 2024 by Family and Consumer Sciences Department Chair Mary Branstetter, who serves as the head adviser. Lee Ann Thomas also assists with advising the club and helps chaperone students during the state competition trip. The group operates as an academic, intra-curricular club, similar to DECA. At Frankfort High School, FCCLA is also linked to several career pathways offered through the FACS department, including Education Professions, Culinary Arts & Hospitality, Early Childhood Education, and Human & Social Services. Students involved in FCCLA are given opportunities to build leadership skills while also preparing for careers related to those fields.
According to the club, Frankfort FCCLA members “strengthen skills, forge friendships, and make a positive difference in today’s world by participating in competitive events, serving in leadership positions, attending national conferences, networking with youth leaders, and attaining essential college- and career-ready skills.” In just a short time, the program has already made an impact. The Community Schools of Frankfort is proud of the way these students have represented their school and the effort they showed at the state-level competition.