CSC students to judge FCCLA State Leadership Conference in April

Both also judged at FCCLA’s District 12 Students Taking Action with Recognition (STAR) Events contest at Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, in January.

Billings, a junior, and Springer, a senior, are Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Education majors, and the only two upper level in-person FCS Education majors on campus, according to Billings.

A shortage of college FCS students is present in the area, according to both students.

Neither Billings nor Springer had FCCLA programs at their high schools, and both struggled to find FCS Education programs at the college level.

“I always knew I wanted to teach and I decided on FCS education in high school, but there are only three colleges in Nebraska with FCS programs,” Springer said.

According to Billings, there are not a lot of options for FCS programs in Wyoming either, which is what brought her to CSC.

The students received the opportunity to judge the district competition when Chadron High School FCCLA Advisor Brenda Budler reached out to them in search of judges for the district competition.

Both had judged competitions at FCCLA’s State Leadership Conference last year. Billings judged the Job Interview event and Springer judged the Interior Design event. This year, they judged the Food Innovations, Nutrition and Wellness, and Sports Nutrition competitions at the district contest.

“Being FCS majors qualifies us to judge, and then at the competition all of the judges get together and figure out where they have qualifications to judge certain events,” Springer said. “Lots of judges were former competitors in certain events. Some events are similar to ones I competed in when I was in FFA in high school or pertain to FCS classes I really enjoyed and understood while at college, so they take that into account.”

Both Springer and Billings saw their first exposure to FCCLA in college.

“Judging at state last year was my first experience. It was nice to see what work goes into the different competition categories, for example the portfolio that job interview competitors have to compile,” Billings said.

Judging has been a valuable networking experience, according to Billings.

“The overall experience is fun because I get to connect with different advisors and FCS educators and that’s what made me realize that I want to continue networking and help FCCLA grow,” Billings said.

Springer also values the experiences she’s had and the connections she has made through judging FCCLA events.

“The networking is a big part of what makes it so valuable for me, especially since I want to stay in Nebraska,” Springer said. “I know I will see these educators and advisors again and it gives me connections and ideas on how I want to shape my curriculum someday. It’s also great to see students taking skills they have learned and applying them to their projects.”

Both students said FCS Professor Dr. Lorie Hunn is an asset to CSC and the success of its FCS program.

“She’s the reason I have decided to stick with FCS Education,” Billings said. “Her background in education is great because she has taught a lot of different subjects in high school settings and sharing her experiences helps us.”

Springer said Hunn is a positive influence in the FCS department and constantly searches for professional development opportunities for students.

Hunn believes judging helps prepare college FCS students for their future in teaching.

“Alyssa and Riley have been traveling with me to State FCCLA in Lincoln for the past few years. Both are a joy to work with,” Hunn said. “This provides great experience to our college students as they prepare to be FCS teachers and hopefully offer FCCLA in their future schools. Both will be exceptional teachers.”

Billings’ judging experience has helped her realize she wants to be involved with FCCLA in the future.

“After graduating, I plan to go back to Wyoming to teach FCS. Ideally, one day I’ll start an FCCLA chapter in Sheridan so students will have the opportunity to be as involved in FCS as possible,” Billings said.

Springer also plans to teach at a high school with an FCS program and is interested in 4-H Extension work.