Lanesboro student Claire Pieper will be a senior at Lanesboro this fall. She is a motivated individual that has a lot of ideas, ranging from trying to find the right college and career for herself, to starting a non-profit organization someday, according to Rochelle Gathje, FCCLA advisor. This is evident with her recent accomplishments in FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America), which took her to the July 2-6, 2017, National FCCLA Leadership Conference in Nashville, Tenn., accompanied by Gathje. Claire is the daughter of Jon and Sarah Pieper.
At the conference, Claire competed in the Job Interview category and received gold, scoring an impressive 97/100. She was the top scorer in the Central Region that included Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Each state was allowed two participants in this category.
For her project she needed to prepare a portfolio and a job that she researched. She also had to prepare a resume and cover letter, references, research on the occupation, job outlook, college prep, community service, salary, etc. This all had to be organzied so that when she presented she was able to talk to the judges and show her proof of research and work. The judges also ask questions during the interview process, which can be about her career, her research, or FCCLA. The career in which Claire chose to do her project was journalism.
Along with her presentation, Claire also attended different sessions on leadership, entrepreneurship, and general FCCLA meeting business such as election of new National Officers. She also attend some of Nashville’s attractions, which included a tour of the Grand Ole Opry, Nashville Shores Waterpark, and a private concert for all FCCLA attendees at the Nashville Sounds baseball field, where country music artists Dan and Shay performed. There were also dancing lessons and a concert at the Wildhorse Saloon, and the 4th of July was spent in downtown Nashville listening to the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Chris Young, and fireworks as the Nashville Symphony played.
FCCLA is a leadership organization. It’s basic principles are to get students to do some type of project or research on a given topic related to family, careers, or in the community, and showing leadership by putting together a project where students have to promote their learning through some type of presentation. The goal is to try to make a difference or a positive change.
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