A half-hour bus ride to Harper College, shoes briskly clicking on a stone floor, and fabric from suits and other professional attire swinging. Pounding hearts and determined minds all set on one goal: scoring above an 80 in 50 predetermined events in order to advance to state.
In Sectionals on Feb. 21, the students faced their fears and presented 10 to 15 minute presentations either individually or with up to three people in front of a judge. These displays took the form of either a portfolio or a digital slides presentation, or, for the few who choose to go into the multiple food events, a delicious display, Kelli McDonald, Family and Career Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Advisor and Career and Technical Education (CTE) teacher, said.
This is nothing like these students have seen before in the various workshops they attend over the course of the school year with FCCLA, as sectionals is a whole new ball game, McDonald said. Seeing the nervousness that comes with overcoming this hurdle is her favorite part of this day-long event, as it shows that the students really care about the lengths they have gone to perfect their projects, she said.
“Trying to help them understand that nervousness is okay [is my favorite part], “McDonald said. “Seeing them after they compete, and seeing the relief on their faces but also seeing how proud they are of their accomplishment, that’s my favorite piece.”
Senior Quinn Blandford, FCCLA President, also agreed that the tension in the air is a useful part of FCCLA, as it aids in building camaraderie among sectional team members. The 10 minutes of stress the students endure are more than worth it, when compared to an entire day spent with friends and cheering on the fellow FCCLA community, he said.
“FCCLA Sectionals has these nerves around it, it is almost like you are going into battle,” Blandford said. “You have got this anxiety, but also this overwhelming sense of joy. It is ten minutes of stress for an entire day of being with your friends, having a good time, being there for each other, [and] it’s really all about the good community.”
While the community is a major part of FCCLA sectionals, for Vice President senior Natalie Hudson, it was her first time competing alone. Also being her senior year, it was the last time Hudson got to compete at FCCLA, and she was not disappointed with the results, Hudson said.
“I have done it since freshman year, so having the club come to a close was bittersweet,” Hudson said. “I got to go out, do my best, and really give it one more shot. I did the best that I’ve done in all four years, and it was a good feeling to end with such a high score.”
In the end, McDonald believes all the effort the students put in throughout the year, as well as the stress that the kids endure, is very much worth it, for the rewards far outweigh the risks.
“[I love] seeing how proud [the students] are of their accomplishment, getting over that fear and knowing that no matter what, for FCCLA, they really have nothing to lose, and everything to gain,” McDonald said.
