Prospect students shine at leadership conference

Several Prospect High School students were among the more than 6,300 members, alumni, advisers, and guests who attended the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, Calif., on July 10-14.

Illinois State Officer (the highest FCCLA student state leadership position in Illinois), Lauren DeCant, now a senior at Prospect, and three national qualifiers (current senior Jackie Gervais and June 2011 graduates, Alexandra Osvath and Lisa Conrad), attended and competed, with outstanding results.

Gervais earned a 97-percent and a gold medal rating on the rubric, ending the year with a 1st Place, “Most Outstanding” in the nation for her creative lesson plans for elementary students in Early Childhood Education. This accomplishment also earned her a quarterly scholarship of $1,500 to Kendall College in Early Childhood studies.

Conrad earned a 98-percent and a gold medal rating on the rubric, ending the year with 3rd place in the nation for her remarkable sketches and line of clothing she created for Fashion Design.

Osvath earned a 93-percent and a gold medal rating on the rubric, ending the year with 9th place in the nation for her organizational and Event Planning skills.

Prospect teacher Amy Collins, who shares FCCLA adviser duties with colleague Lisa Curtain, commented, “They impressed me, the state and the nation with their poise and excellence in their every move. They attended workshops in their respective areas, heard keynote speakers on leadership, competed and even went to bed willingly by 11 p.m. each night!”

FCCLA is the Career and Technical Student Organization for Family and Consumer Science students, a national student organization that helps young men and women become better leaders in their families, careers and communities. Students learn skills for life: planning, goal setting, problem solving, decision making and interpersonal communication.