Gabe Stark
Reporter

As Rebecca Smith helps more Trenton students find their place in FCCLA, she is taking on a new role that will allow her to help shape the experience for students nationwide.

The Trenton High School adviser has been selected for a two-year term on the national Family, Career and Community Leaders of America’s Competitive Events Advisory Team. Her appointment comes as the local chapter’s membership has grown from 26 students last school year to 144 this year.

Smith said she is the team’s only Missouri representative. One chapter adviser is selected nationally each year to serve a two-year term.

For Smith, the opportunity means bringing the experiences of a growing Trenton chapter into conversations about how FCCLA competitions can better serve students.

“My only motivation for joining was to want to improve the competitive event experience for kids, for the students, not just Trenton students, but on a national level,” she said.

Smith was selected after submitting an application and completing a Zoom interview with national competitive events staff. She said she was excited to earn the position on her first application.

The team helps review and update competition guidelines, scoring rubrics and policies. Its members can recommend new events and assist with national competitions. Through monthly meetings, Smith will offer feedback on ways to keep events relevant to family and consumer sciences education and meaningful for the students participating.

She said she wants students to have a variety of opportunities, with competitions that are fair, interesting and rewarding.

That goal is also guiding her work in Trenton, where the chapter has made membership more accessible this school year. Instead of charging students dues, members are fundraising to cover affiliation fees. The chapter-affiliated students enrolled in family and consumer sciences classes so they can participate in competitions and other activities if they choose.

Returning members have encouraged classmates to give FCCLA a try, and Smith said the response has been positive. Even before the chapter’s main kickoff for STAR Events, the number of students signed up to compete had matched last year’s total. Registration is not due until December.

The chapter’s recent national success has helped generate that interest. Its current president, Anthony Esquivel, placed second nationally in Repurpose and Redesign last summer. Smith said he has become a mentor for younger members and students who have never prepared a competitive project.

Seeing a fellow Trenton student succeed has helped others recognize the opportunities available through the chapter, she said.

Smith remains the chapter’s sole adviser as membership grows. This year, the group is concentrating on its own members and activities, with plans to compete in STAR Events and two state-level competitions. The first competition is planned for the Fall Leadership Conference in early November.

Smith hopes to see multiple teams qualify for the national conference in San Antonio, Texas, in June. The chapter also wants to become more involved in the community and build partnerships with local businesses and organizations to help support students’ participation at nationals.

A baked goods fundraiser is planned for October to help pay affiliation fees. The date had not been finalized at the time of the interview. Community members interested in supporting the chapter can contact Smith via email at rsmith@trentonr9.k12.mo.us.

“We always want to let the community know about all of the opportunities and exciting work that we’re doing in our chapter,” Smith said.