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Washington, D.C., July 2026 – The 2026 FCCLA National Leadership Conference (NLC) took place in Washington, D.C., from July 6 to 10, 2026, drawing over 10,000 students, educators, and guests from across the country. This event offered an excellent opportunity for participants to enhance their leadership skills, develop their talents, explore career options, and hear from inspiring speakers.
Paige Barron, Catherine Brown, Kelvey Cortez, Kayla Dzierzanowski, Isabella Gonzales, Kamden Paige, and McKailee Sorrell proudly represented Devine Middle School and High School at the FCCLA National Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C.
Kamden Paige won first place in the nation at a National Leadership Conference! Making school history, he is one of only three Devine FCCLA teams that we know of to ever accomplish this feat. The 8th grader’s Leadership, Level 1 project, titled Kamden 2.0: Leadership Level-Up, focused on growing his leadership skills over the past year.
Sophomores Cat Brown and Kayla Dzierzanowski competed in Public Policy Advocate, Level 2. Their project concentrated on advocating for a recycling program in Devine and on the school campuses. Their project, Clean and Green, began in October and reached nearly 20,000 people, advocating for recycling in Devine. This was the members’ first year competing in FCCLA. They did an exceptional job on their project and placed 3rd in the nation in their event!
The Students Taking Action with Recognition (STAR) Events served as the focal point of the conference. Over 4,300 FCCLA members took part in these competitions, demonstrating their skills and achievements in both chapter and individual projects, as well as their competencies in leadership and career readiness. The collaboration between youth and adults in coordinating and assessing the events provided students with essential skills and meaningful perspectives.
STAR Events are crucial in fostering student growth by enhancing their classroom interactions and steering them toward promising career paths. Offering over 30 different events, students can showcase their knowledge, skills, and abilities by engaging with important topics related to families, careers, or communities. Through researching these topics and creating projects to promote positive change, students gain essential skills and industry knowledge necessary for success in the modern world.
More results coming soon!
The following teams will find out their final places when the results are announced in two weeks.
Seventh-graders Kelvey Cortez and Isabella Gonzales competed in Interpersonal Communications, Level 1. The team reached over 11,000 people to inform them about the health benefits of using more natural ingredients, such as home-milled flour. Their project, Better from Home, made the Top 10 in the nation in their category.
Juniors Paige Barron and McKailee Sorrell competed in Focus on Children, Level 3. Their project, Read to Succeed, promoted making reading accessible and fun for children. The team began work on their project to help little ones love literacy in September and reached over 15,400 people, as well.
The students’ projects showcase their determination, ingenuity, and dedication to positively influencing the lives of others. Their success on the national stage reflects their effort, collaboration, and relentless enthusiasm.
Without volunteers, the conference wouldn’t have been as successful. Anthony and Amie Cortez and Korrey Paige helped chaperone while in Washington, D.C. Devine FCCLA is led by Linsey Outlaw. For more information on how to get involved, please contact her at Devine High School.
About FCCLA
Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) is a dynamic and effective student-led, national-based organization that supports youth on their journey to become the leaders of tomorrow and helps them address important personal, family, work, and societal issues through Family and Consumer Sciences education. FCCLA has over 250,000 members and more than 5,200 chapters across the nation.
The Ultimate Leadership Experience is unique among youth organizations because its programs are planned and run by members. It is the only career and technical co-curricular student organization with a central focus on careers that support families. Participation in national FCCLA programs and chapter activities helps members become strong leaders in their families, careers, and communities.

Kayla Dzierzanowski and Cat Brown – 3rd place in the nation in Public Policy Advocate, Level 2.

By Anton Riecher
A proposed city budget of $5.129 million for the coming fiscal year, an increase of more than $361,000 from the current budget, was presented to the Lytle City Council July 9 by the city staff.
Mayor Ruben Gonzalez said the special workshop presented an opportunity to “go ahead and have a presentation, discussion and (give) direction concerning the budget for fiscal year 2026-2027.”
The meeting moved from revenue review to department-by-department budget adjustments, then into unresolved capital and utility priorities, creating a practical workflow from financial planning to operational implementation and long-term infrastructure readiness.
A complete video of the budget workshop is posted on the Devine News YouTube channel at youtube.com/@devinenews7472.com.
City Administrator Zachary Meadows and city financial director Yvonne Griffin repeatedly emphasized that many figures used in the proposed budget were flexible estimates pending receipt of certified property value figures later this month from appraisal districts in Medina, Atascosa and Bexar counties.
Griffin said an expected increase in sales tax revenue is based on the annual increase seen in recent years.
“I have changed the city sales tax,” she said. “I am increasing it by $345,000. That’s just based off the growth over the last few years. Hopefully, that will continue.”
Council members…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

For many years, the Devine Food Pantry has quietly served as a lifeline for families throughout our community. Behind every box of food distributed is a story—a senior living on a fixed income, a family facing unexpected hardship, or a neighbor simply needing a helping hand. Thanks to the generosity of our community, the pantry has been able to meet these needs one family at a time.
Devine Food Pantry has sessions every Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. As well as Fridays from 5pm to 7pm BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.
For appointments, please call 830.663.9228 during regular session hours.
Today, the need continues to grow, and we are inviting the community to become part of the solution.
One of the pantry’s hidden treasures is the Devine Food Pantry Shoppe. Filled with gently used furniture, home décor, kitchen items, collectibles, seasonal decorations, books, and many unique treasures, the Shoppe offers shoppers the opportunity to find something special while directly supporting the pantry’s mission. Every purchase helps provide food and hope to local families.
Devine Food Pantry Shoppe is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 am to 2 pm.
We also welcome donations of furniture, household goods, home décor, tools, collectibles, and other quality items that allow us to turn unwanted treasures into meals for our neighbors.
In the coming months, we hope to expand our community fundraising efforts with special sales, featured items, and other events that will help ensure the Devine Food Pantry remains a strong resource for families throughout our area. These efforts are only possible because of the generosity of individuals, churches, businesses, civic organizations, and volunteers who believe that no one in our community should go hungry.
If you’ve never visited the Devine Food Pantry Shoppe, we invite you to stop by. You may discover the perfect piece for your home while helping provide food for someone else’s table.
Together, we can continue making a difference – one donation, one volunteer, one purchase, and one family at a time.
For information about shopping, donating items, volunteering, or supporting the Devine Food Pantry, please visit our Facebook page or contact the pantry directly.
Because when neighbors help neighbors, our entire community grows stronger.