Photo of Patriot High School, Gainesville and Marsteller Middle School students

Sixteen students from Patriot High School’s Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) club participated in the Virginia FCCLA State Leadership Conference, achieving either first or second place. As a school chapter, the Patriot FCCLA club received several accolades, including a membership award for having the second-largest chapter in the state, an Outstanding Platinum Chapter Award for their club programming, and the Connie S. Rhoton Legacy Award, bestowed upon FCCLA chapters that exemplify a well-rounded program aligned with the mission and spirit of FCCLA

“Placing at the state level gave me a great sense of accomplishment and is a testament to all the hard work and dedication put into it. It also boosted my confidence and self-esteem and gave me the courage to branch out and try new things,” stated Madison (Maddie) Hall, senior and Patriot FCCLA chapter president.

Olivia (Liv) Tiscenko, junior and Virginia FCCLA state officer, added, “For me, going to the state leadership conference is a fun, educational, and action-packed weekend that teaches me so many new life skills each year. This year I learned how to speak in front of hundreds of people, how to be professional in any type of environment, and how to think through difficult situations quickly.”

Congratulations to the following Patriot FCCLA students:

  • Jennifer (Jay) King, first place and will advance to nationals to compete in the Baking and Pastry event.
  • Maddie Hall, first place and will advance to nationals to compete in the Career Investigation – Level 3 event. In addition, Hall received the 5-unit Power of One completer pin, a certificate for completion of Steven Covey's Leadership Academy units and received a pin for her exceptional leadership contributions for the 2023-24 school year.
  • Cameron McGee, first place and will advance to nationals to compete in the Career Investigation – Level 2 event.
  • Ariana Heath and Briana Heath, first place and will advance to nationals to compete in the Chapter in Review Display - Level 2 event.
  • Madelyn (Maddie) Correale, Aria McGee, and Alyssa Nielsen, first place and will advance to nationals to compete in the Food Innovations - Level 3 event.
  • George Martin and Katie Yang, second place in the Repurpose and Redesign - Level 2 event and will advance to nationals.
  • Liv Tiscenko became a national qualifier (top 15 in the nation) in the online Instructional Video Design - Level 3 event. In addition, she received a pin as a 5-unit Power of One completer and was elected to be a Virginia FCCLA State Officer as the Vice President of Public Relations.
  • Jordyn Trost served as an evaluator at the VA FCCLA State Leadership Conference and received a 5-unit Power of One completer pin.
  • Abby Trapani served as an evaluator at the VA FCCLA State Leadership Conference.
  • Moshda (Mo) Hakimpour, received recognition as a 5-unit Power of One completer.

In their inaugural year, the Patriot Middles Chapter, comprised of students from Gainesville and Marsteller Middle Schools, were selected for a membership award for starting a new chapter with the goal of inclusion, and expanding to include not only high school students but also seventh and eighth grade students. The Middles Chapter received an Outstanding Silver Chapter Award for their club’s programs and activities.

Congratulations to the middle school students who ranked at the conference:

  • Nhi Nguyen, Marsteller Middle, first place and will advance to nationals in the Chapter in Review Display - Level 1 event. Nguyen also received a pin as a 5-unit Power of One completer.
  • Felix Pantoja Batres and Alexander (Alex) Paul, Marsteller, and Maxx Tiscenko, Gainesville Middle, second place in Repurpose and Redesign - Level 1 event and will advance to nationals.
  • Krisalyn (Lainey) McVea, Marsteller, became a national qualifier (top 15 in the nation) in the online Instructional Video Design - Level 1 event. McVea also received the 5-unit Power of One completer pin, a certificate for demonstrating the Spirit of FCCLA, and a pin for her Leadership efforts for the 2023-24 school year.
  • Peter Nielsen, Marsteller, received recognition as a 5-unit Power of One completer.

The national FCCLA conference will be held this summer in Seattle, Washington.