Berrien Middle’s FCCLA chapter has had a successful and productive semester. So far this year we have had three conferences: Discover, Fall Leadership Rally, and Fall Leadership Conference. At Discover, our officer team, comprised of six members in sixth and seventh grade, learned many leadership skills that they took back and applied to our chapter and their everyday lives. “While at Discover I learned how to be a better President and some of the skills I learned I was able to apply to my everyday life,” said Kylie McCranie, chapter president.

On Wednesday, October 9, Georgia FCCLA hosted its annual Fall Leadership Rally at the Georgia National Fair in Perry, Georgia. The theme of the rally was, “Telling Your Story Through Music”. The general session’s keynote speaker inspired and encouraged them to use music to share their stories with others by playing songs that reflected his own story. Afterwards, members from across the state were treated to an afternoon of fun and fellowship while they rode fair rides, competed in competitions, and looked at the displays put on by FCCLA chapters and other clubs. At the rally, BMS FCCLA had four members compete in the Knowledge Bowl, a competition on the members’ understanding of Family and Consumer Sciences and FCCLA. We also entered the Brochure Competition and placed 3rd in the FCCLA General Knowledge category.

On November 6th and 7th, we went to Camp John Hope for FCCLA’s Fall Leadership Conference(FLC). The theme of the conference was “Growing as Leaders”. At the conference, we helped decorate the stage prior to the opening session and then had the opportunity to hear a motivational message from the keynote speaker who discussed how difficult it can be to overcome obstacles in life. “While at the conference I learned that there will be hard times in life and you will have to maintain strength to get over those times in life,” said our Vice President of Competitive Events, Abigayle Williams. After the general session, we attended a few smaller sessions where we learned how to better prepare ourselves for our STAR Events and how to more effectively fundraise for our chapter. “I learned many things at FLC, for example, I learned that I need to be well prepared for my STAR Event. I also learned that it is very beneficial to be in official dress when competing in my STAR Event.” said our First Vice President, Stoney Cooper. While in attendance at the conference there were a few competitions for members to compete in. We entered the pin design and t-shirt competitions, however we did not place in either event. All BMS FCCLA members who attended the Fall Conference competed in the Statesman Event. The Statesman Event is a 50 question multiple choice test about FCCLA’s history and general knowledge. We had one member to pass and therefore receive Statesman, Claire Whidden. She was one of only three middle school members from the state to receive the Statesman Award.

In this past semester, we have participated in one community service project and hosted one community service project. The community service project that we participated in was hosted by Georgia FCCLA at the Fall Leadership Conference at Camp John Hope. All items were donated through all Georgia chapters of FCCLA and were gifted to The Center for Children and Young Adults. This organization helps neglected, abused, abandoned children and teens. Some of the items that were donated include mac and cheese bowls, peanut butter, gushers and ramen noodles.

In December, we hosted a community service project to benefit the Hearts to Homes Humane Society here in Nashville. We sold hot chocolate and french vanilla cappuccinos during the school day and raised $500 in just two short weeks. The Humane Society was very thankful for the donation. After delivering the check and visiting the animals at the humane society, our chapter made plans to return to do some volunteer work in January. “I am so proud of my students,” said the adviser Mrs. Carly Redding,” they have been so dedicated to serving our chapter and school but it makes me especially proud to see them stepping out and becoming leaders in their community.”We are looking forward to all the opportunities to come next semester!