Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) members from Hempfield High School recently took part in the 2026 FCCLA State Leadership Conference. The event was held from March 23 to 25 at Kalahari Resort in the Poconos.

The conference challenged FCCLA members to use their leadership skills to make a difference in their families and communities. Members of the Hempfield chapter returned from the conference with a determination to focus their energies on strengthening families and working on essential career skills.

At the conference, the eight Hempfield attendees competed in Students Taking Action with Recognition (STAR) events. Rilyn Shifflett and Leah Guatta earned gold medal recognition, and silver medals went to Avery Fitzgerald, Christina Grau, Isabelle Hance, Lucy Hance, Natalie Reed and Stella Sload. Six of the students also qualified to compete at the FCCLA National Conference in Washington, D.C., this summer.

The conference also included award presentations. Hempfield was named the Outstanding Young Chapter, and its students received ribbons for membership and a state outreach project. Hance, a senior, received the Chapter Member of the Year Award, and Shifflett, also a senior, was recognized for "Saying Yes to FCS" and received a scholarship to Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Her goal is to become a family and consumer sciences educator. In addition, advisers Teagan Travis and Leah Blose were recognized for five years serving in their role.

FCCLA is a national career and technical student organization that seeks to help young men and women become strong leaders in their families, careers, and communities. FCCLA seeks to address important issues in personal and family life, and to help youths develop skills in several career pathways, including family and consumer sciences and related career and technical education programs. Hempfield High School has sponsored an FCCLA chapter since 2021.