The Tucumcari Middle School and High School chapters of FCCLA (Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America) did very well this year at their state meeting and competition, which was held March 13-15 in Albuquerque, according to a press release from the Tucumcari's FCCLA chapter

Nineteen students, 12 from the high school and seven from the middle school attended, said the release.

This also is the first time that Tucumcari has had anyone qualify through competitions to go to the national FCCLA meeting in at least 11 years, said faculty advisor Jodie Lamm in the release.  

At the general opening session, Tucumcari Middle School was recognized for being the first middle school chapter to affiliate this year, and  Lamm, advisor for chapters in the middle and high schools, was recognized and presented a certificate for her 20 years of service as a FCCLA advisor.

In addition to the meetings and workshops that the students attended, they participated in various competitions. The competitions are called STAR Events, with STAR standing for “Students Taking Action with Recognition.” Students were judged against a set of criteria, and  given a medal based on their score.  A gold medal represents a score of 90-100, a silver medal a score of 70-89, and a bronze medal a score below 70.    Grades seven through nine competed in the junior. category, and grades 10 through 12 competed in the senior. category.

Some of the available competition events are unique to New Mexico, and are called State Level Events.  In these events:

Crudités Tray, Jr.

Sonam Bhakta and Kassidi Ulibarri, TMS, Silver medal, Second place

Crudités Tray, Sr.

Megan Evans, THS, Silver medal, Seventh place

Decorated Cake, Sr.

Felicia Lopez, THS, Silver medal, Second place

Fashion Apparel Display, Sr.

Tonya Branch and Jessica Beltran, THS, Bronze medal, Third place

Designer’s Challenge, Sr.

Beth Romero, THS, Gold medal, First place

Other competition events are the same throughout the United States, and are called National Level Events.  

In these events:

Illustrated Talk, Junior.

Kierra Proctor, Bethany Bishop and Jenna Morris, TMS, Silver, Fourth place

Chapter Showcase Manual, Junior.

Carri Harmon and Michelle Fazekas, TMS, Bronze, Third place

Focus On Children, Senior

Haley Binkley and Alyssa Arellano, THS, Gold, Second place

Job Interview, Senior

Katrina Calbert, THS, Silver, Third place, and a $500 Scholarship to Johnson & Wales University.

Job Interview, Senior

Cecilia Holguin, THS, Silver, Second place, and a $750 Scholarship to Johnson & Wales University.

Recycle & Redesign, Jr.

Katie Lamm, THS, Gold, First place, and eligible to compete and represent Tucumcari at the National FCCLA meeting in Orlando, Florida this summer.

Entrepreneurship, Jr.

Sharayah Sisneros and Holly Binkley, THS, Silver, First place, and eligible to compete and represent Tucumcari at the National FCCLA meeting this summer.

All of the preparations for competitions have to be worked on outside of class time, so those who compete put in a lot of time and effort, Lamm said. Students choose projects that interest them, and the research and work they do is like directed study or enrichment activiites.

Lamm said that she is “proud of how all of the students did this year,” and   wants to acknowledge their hard work and effort, as well as the support and encouragement of the parents.