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.
