Members of the O’Neill FCCLA Chapter demonstrated outstanding leadership, achievement, and dedication at the Nebraska FCCLA State Leadership Conference, held March 29–31 in Lincoln. Centered around the theme “Flourish with Purpose,” the conference brought together students from across the state to compete, lead, and grow through Family and Consumer Sciences education.
O’Neill students delivered an exceptional performance in STAR (Students Taking Action with Recognition) events, earning numerous top finishes and gold medals. First-place champions and national qualifiers included Jozy York (Gold, Chapter Service Project Display, Level 2); Blake Boettcher, Mya McCormick, and Madison Wettlaufer (Gold, Event Management, Level 1); Talon Kurtz (Gold, Fashion Construction, Level 2); Lynn Miner (Gold, Job Interview, Level 2); Hugh York, Bennet Phillips, and Noah Wiekamp (Gold, Sports Nutrition, Level 1); and Emma Bowder (Gold, Teaching Strategies, Level 2).
Earning runner-up honors and national qualifiers were Erandi Pantoja Martinez (Gold, Chapter Service Project Display, Level 1); Lane Hoefer (Gold, Interior Design, Level 3); Dorie Yates (Gold, Interpersonal Communication, Level 2); Suhani Chaudhari (Gold, Job Interview, Level 3); Maliyah Maas and Calli Tomjack (Gold, Professional Presentation, Level 2); Tucker Cook (Silver Professional Presentation, Level 3); Celia Mott (Gold, Say Yes to FCS, Level 3); and Gaby Rosales-Felix (Gold, Teach or Train, Level 2).
Additional top finishers included Marissa Grosch and Vera Seger (3rd Gold, Food Innovations, Level 1); Charlotte Welsh (3rd Gold, Promote and Publicize FCCLA, Level 3); Emily Larsen (4th Place Gold, Chapter Service Project Portfolio, Level 2), ; Addie Sigler and Charly Svoboda (4th Gold, National Programs in Action, Level 3); Remi Kurtz (4th Silver, Fashion Construction, Level 1); Polly Belmer (4th Silver, Say Yes to FCS, Level 2); and Bergan Couch and Madison Nolan (5th Gold, Focus on Children, Level 2). Dane Bowder received a silver medal in Repurpose and Redesign Level 1.
Members also competed in Skill Demonstration Events, including Jasper York (Creed Speaking, Level 1) Jailyn Romesser and Hailey Romesser (Interview Skills, Levels 2 and 3).
Beyond STAR events, O’Neill FCCLA members were recognized with numerous individual and chapter honors. The chapter earned the Gold Chapter Award, 1st Place Developer Award, and White Chapter Affiliation Award, along with the Emerging Leaders Award for increased junior high membership.
Several members were recognized as Five Star Recruiters, including Lynn Miner, Jozy York, Emma Bowder, and Gaby Rosales-Felix. Celia Mott received multiple honors, including recognition for Say Yes to FCS, Day in Your Future, and the Lisa Groth Memorial FCS Education Scholarship. Hailey and Jailyn Romesser both earned Power of One certificates.
O’Neill also celebrated leadership achievements at the state level. Mollie Corkle and Suhani Chaudhari were honored as outgoing state officers, each earning the Gold State Officer Award—the highest recognition for state officers. Charlotte Welsh was selected as an incoming state officer. Celia Mott was recognized as an outgoing State Peer Education Officer, while Emily Larsen was selected as an incoming State Peer Education Officer, serving as Overall Council Chairperson.
In FCS knowledge-based testing, O’Neill students also excelled. Top finishers included Charly Svoboda (1st, Child Development) and Hailey Romesser (1st, Life and Career Readiness; 2nd, Fashion Construction). Additional placings included Charlotte Welsh (2nd, FCCLA Knowledge); Dorie Yates (2nd, Personal Finance); Emma Bowder (2nd, Parliamentary Knowledge); Addie Sigler (2nd, Hospitality and Tourism); and Hugh York (3rd, Nutrition).
Tara Osborne received the Nebraska FCCLA Distinguished Service Award, and adviser Angie Ehlers earned the Adviser Committed to Excellence Award.
In addition to competition and recognition, members attended leadership workshops and general sessions designed to inspire growth and encourage purposeful action. Students built connections, strengthened leadership skills, and embraced opportunities to make a difference in their schools and communities.
The O’Neill FCCLA Chapter is proud of all members who represented their school at the state level. Their accomplishments reflect their hard work, leadership, and commitment to continuing to ‘Flourish with Purpose’.
