Eight Lehi High School students placed in the top 10 nationally at the FCCLA National Leadership Conference held July 6–8 in Washington, D.C.

Hannah Snow led the group with a second-place finish in Teaching Strategies. The chapter also brought home eight gold medals across its events, according to the Lehi Free Press.

FCCLA, or Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, runs STAR Events (Students Taking Action with Recognition) in which students present projects to judges. Adviser Angela Adams, in her third year leading the Lehi chapter, said preparation takes months of project development, practice and state-level qualifying before students advance to nationals.

Full results

Five Lehi entries earned top-10 national finishes:

  • Hannah Snow — 2nd, Teaching Strategies
  • Paige Miller and Lynnlee Lowry — 6th, Sports Nutrition
  • Molly Hansen and Colby Goodrich — 7th, Chapter in Review Display
  • Brooklyn Byrd — 7th, Say Yes to FCS
  • Bodey Trane and Mahogany Faye Smith — 10th, Fashion Design

Additional Lehi medalists included Nora Jensen, Maylee Baker and Kierra Carpenter (silver, Focus on Children); Brynlee McCain (silver, Interior Design); Liam Scott (silver, Nutrition & Wellness); and Avea Seneca (bronze, Red Talks on Education).

Students tested projects in local classrooms

Jensen, a junior, competed alongside Baker and Carpenter in Focus on Children. Their project involved teaching third-graders about growth mindset at Snow Springs Elementary in Lehi and Northridge Elementary in Orem. At nationals, the team presented their lesson plan, process and results to judges.

"I was so scared to talk to adults for such a long time … After competing, I have so much more confidence," Jensen told the Lehi Free Press.

District backs the trip

The Alpine School District covered competition fees, hotel costs and flights for the national delegation. Adams called it "a great opportunity for these kids who wouldn't otherwise have it."

Utah students overall earned roughly 10% of the top-10 awards at the conference. Lehi's chapter has about 50 active members, with 14 making the trip to Washington in July. Jensen will serve as an FCCLA officer during the upcoming school year.