Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America is a high school organization whose mission is to promote personal growth and leadership development through Family and Consumer Sciences education. Focusing on the multiple roles of family member, wage earner, and community leader, members develop skills for life through character development, creative and critical thinking, interpersonal communication, practical knowledge, and career preparation.

The members of the Callaway FCCLA Chapter work toward accomplishing those goals and, in the process, develop cooperation, responsibility, leadership, and service skills. The CHS Chapter enjoyed a great year, beginning last summer when the officers met for a retreat where they planned for the upcoming year, reflected on their strengths as individuals, and set goals for the year.

To kick off the 2024-25 school year, the chapter held a cookout at Angel and Tiersa Johnson’s house with 15 members in attendance, eight of them being new to the chapter. The chapter sold homecoming flowers with the help of The Plant Stand, and through the generosity of community members, everyone in the elementary and high school received a flower.

Chapter members attended a district leadership event in North Platte, where they participated in creed speaking, elevator speeches, poster contest, and the knowledge bowl. October kicked off the pop tab competition to see which class could collect the most pop tabs in support of the Ronald McDonald House. Kindergarten brought in the most pop tabs and was rewarded with ice cream sundaes. Second place was sixth grade, followed by first grade. The chapter members were able to deliver all the pop tabs collected over the last three years to the Ronald McDonald House on April 5.

The Chapter came together in November for a special time of food and relationship building with a Thanksgiving dinner, and began focusing on their STAR projects. The month of December was all about cookies for the chapter - with approximately 4,668 cookies, truffles, and pretzel rods being made by members.

The District STAR competition was held in January with six groups of members competing. All six teams were able to go to Lincoln for the State Leadership Conference.

The Chapter celebrated FCCLA Week in February with a variety of activities, including hosting a dirty soda station and distributing Valentine treats. Members hosted a fundraiser pizza kit sales in March to raise money to help cover the costs of attending the state convention. That was held April 6-8 in Lincoln and was very successful for the CHS teams.

Three of the groups placed first at state, one group placed second, one group placed fifth, and another group placed 12th. The Chapter has the honor of sending 10 students to nationals in Orlando, Florida, this summer!

As a chapter, Callaway received the Silver Chapter Award, the White Chapter Affiliation Award, and Dawson Mason received the High-Five Membership Award.

Members qualifying for Nationals from the state competition in April are:

• Tiersa Johnson - state champion, Fashion Construction, Level 2

• Amelia Pandorf, Gracie Brennan, Lauren Reiff - state champions Hospitality, Tourism, and Recreation, Level 1

• Aubrie Birkel, Dawson Mason, Jozi Edgington state runner-up, Hospitality & Tourism, Level 3 Competing at the 2025 National Leadership Conference July 6-9 in Orlando with their STAR projects are Tiersa Johnson, Chenney Dishman, Angel Johnson, Kaygan Witthuhn, Dawson Mason, Jozie Edgington, Aubrie Birkel, Lauren Reiff, Amelia Pandorf, and Gracie Brennan.