For the first time in school history, an Emerson FCCLA member has qualified for nationals after recently placing second in her category at the FCCLA State Leadership Conference on April 9. Pramiti Thoppe, 11, has advanced to the national competition in the Sustainability Challenge Event following months of preparation, research and dedication to her project. Her accomplishment marks a major milestone not only for herself but also for the club as a whole.
In the Sustainability Challenge Event, competitors are required to create and present solutions to environmental issues through research and planning. Thoppe’s project stood out at a state level, earning her a top placement and a spot at nationals.
“This achievement really shows the hard work and dedication she put into her project, especially throughout the preparation for the state competition,” FCCLA advisor Katey De La Cruz said.
For Thoppe, advancing to nationals came as both a surprise and a reward for her hard work. She described moments of doubt during preparation and her presentation, but said her goal of completing a strong project kept her motivated.
“I really focused on following the rubric and staying confident during my presentation,” Thoppe said. “Even if I wasn’t fully sure, I tried to act like I knew what I was doing so the judges could see my understanding.”
Despite challenges of staying motivated, Thoppe remained focused on her goal and pushed through the preparation process. She explained that the experience helped her build confidence and improve certain skills.
“It has definitely taught me leadership and talking skills. Through my event, I talked to judges I have never talked to before confidently. Through FCCLA, I have grown to be a leader and help others as well,” Thoppe said.
Even though only one student advanced to nationals, all FCCLA members who competed gained valuable experience at the state competition. Students developed important skills such as communication, time management and confidence while preparing and presenting their projects. This year’s results highlight progress within the club and show that students are becoming more successful in competitive events.
“We’re proud of all our members who competed this year because they worked hard and represented the club well,” De La Cruz said.
This year’s FCCLA season marked an important milestone for Emerson, with a student advancing to nationals for the first time in school history. This achievement highlights the hard work and dedication of FCCLA members and shows the continued growth of the club. Moving forward, FCCLA aims to continue building on this success and encourage more students to take part in competition.
