“Creating a Legacy” 

Michelle Lindberg, senior at Black River Falls High School, has been an active member of the high school Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) for four years. Throughout her four years, she competed in Students Taking Action for Recognition competitions, organized community service events, recruited new members, helped to retain current members and organized several recognition activities. The highlight of her FCCLA experiences, however, was being elected to the Wisconsin FCCLA State Executive Council her junior year (2006-2007) as the Comprehensive Representative, and as the 2007-2008 Wisconsin FCCLA State Vice President.  Michelle has been responsible for representing over 100 chapters throughout Wisconsin and over 2,000 members of Wisconsin FCCLA the past two years.

Michelle has attended leadership trainings and FCCLA-sponsored events all over the United States with her FCCLA experiences.  

Michelle’s leadership skills have left a direct impact on our school, her family, and our community. She leaves behind a legacy of leadership for her peers.  Michelle will graduate this year and plans to pursue a degree in Family and Consumer Sciences Education at the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Menomonie next fall.

FCCLA Scholarship Recipients

Black River Falls High School FCCLA returned home with more than medals from the State Leadership Conference/Competition. Two of our local members were awarded scholarships for their work and dedication to FCCLA.  In order to qualify applicants needed to have maintained a 3.0 grade point average and must  plan to further their education beyond high school at a technical college or at a 4- year college or university.

These scholarships are awarded to recognize members from affiliated FCCLA chapters who have made significant contributions to FCCLA and Family and Consumer Education at the local, regional and state levels.  These recipients will encourage and support members who will provide continued support for FCCLA purposes through their future career plans.  

Applicants had to complete the FCCLA Scholarship Application Form, write an essay in response to the two-part question, and provide three completed recommendation forms Applicants were asked to respond in essay format to the following questions:

Funding for the scholarship awards is provided from the Chapter Leadership Scholarship Fee, WI FCCLA Foundation, and from interested supporting businesses, agencies, and individuals.

The WI FCCLA Foundation Chapter President Leadership Scholarship was awarded to Black River Falls High School Chapter President Brett Demers.  

The WI FCCLA Family and Consumer Sciences and Related Occupations Scholarship was awarded to Black River Falls High School Public Relations Chairperson and past Wisconsin FCCLA State Vice President Michelle Lindberg.

National School Administrator Award
Family, Career and Community Leaders of America

Mr. Thomas Chambers selected to Represent Wisconsin at the National Level  

Exceptional school administrators encourage chapters and help students take advantage of the opportunities offered. Mr. Thomas Chambers, Assistant Principal for the Black River Falls High School , was selected as this years’ recipient of the Wisconsin nomination for the National School Administrator Award. Mr. Chambers was selected as Wisconsin ’s nomination because of his continued support of the local FCCLA program and student efforts.  This award recognizes and honors local administrators who give outstanding support to the FCCLA organization on the local, state, and national levels.  Chambers was presented this enormous honor at the Wisconsin FCCLA State Conference in Green Lake , WI by the Department of Public Instruction Family and Consumer Sciences Consultant, Mrs. Diane Ryberg.  

Black River Falls Middle School and High School Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) find success and “define” leadership at the Wisconsin FCCLA State Conference  

Forty Two members of the Black River Falls High School and Middle School FCCLA chapters recently attended the FCCLA State Leadership Conference in Green Lake , Wis. from April 20-22.  Members had an opportunity to see Inspirational Keynote Speaker Rhett Laubach with his presentation “3 Giant Jumps Every Great Student Leader Tasks.”  Rhett has co-authored three leadership and motivational books for students and adults: Possibilities, Possibilities II and Teen Power and Beyond.  

Students also had the opportunity to see Sheltered Reality (SR) Perform live.  Founded in 1997, Sheltered Reality (a nonprofit musical organization) believes that music can have meaning, yet be a blast at the same time! SR performances use the power of percussion set to music, as well as high energy choreography, to engage and then motivate audiences to realize that all of us, at any age in life, can dream and succeed.  

A special guest made an appearance this year, flying all the way from California to share his knowledge. “Changing Children’s Lives One Habit and Dime at a Time”  

Throughout the FCCLA State Leadership Conference students are challenged to make a difference in their families, careers and community.  Inspirational speakers, presentations from the State Executive Council, and Adult workshops all coincide to provide a variety of means in which to address the issues of concern in our society today.  Wisconsin FCCLA tackles societal issues by empowering youth to step forward into leadership positions and become contributing members of our society.  

Black River Falls High School received numerous awards besides medals in STAR Events at the State Leadership Convention.  The chapter was awarded the Gold Chapter Award for its participation and our chapter’s activities throughout the year.  We were awarded two of the four scholarships given to seniors (Brett Demers and Michelle Lindberg) and won a $250 grant from the FCCLA Foundation for our effective peer efforts in Financial Education.  Just recently the High School was awarded a $500 gift card from Best Buy as part of it’s community awareness initiative and partner with National FCCLA.  Black River Falls conducted a in-depth project informing our community about the analog to digital transition that will take place next February. For our efforts we were awarded the Best Buy gift Certificate.  

The community of Black River Falls should be incredible honored and proud of our young students and their efforts to rise to leadership positions and make a difference in our community.  The crucial part of our chapters success lies in the students and their parents which make opportunities like this available to students. We would like to extend a sincere thank you to all the parent chaperones that accompanied us to the State Leadership Conference: Sheila Edie, Mary Beck, Theresa Ripp, Marianne Torkelson, Beth Zadnichek, Sue Lindberg, Mike Mahan, Tina Mahan, Sherry Olson, Connie Helstad, Marie Jordan and Andrea Hoffman.   

Family, Career and Community Leaders of America is a dynamic and effective national student organization that helps young men and women become leaders and address important personal, family, work and societal issues through family and consumer sciences education. The organization has nearly 230,000 members and 8,000 advisers from all 50 states plus the District of Columbia , Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands . Since its founding in 1945, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America has involved more than nine million youth.

FCCLA is unique among student organizations because its programs are planned and run by members. It is the only national in-school organization with the family as its central focus. Participation in national programs and chapter activities helps members become strong leaders in their families, careers and communities.