On March 15-17, 2026 17 students from Valley R-VI attended the 2026 Missouri Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) State Leadership Conference at the University Plaza and Expo in Springfield, Missouri.
The following members attended the conference: Keller Loughary, Ashton Pogue, Jimmy Politte, Heidi DeClue Mercy Andderson, Mylei Francis, Briley Turner, Audrey Sanders, Baylie Williams, Heaven McClain, Chelsi Glore, Colton Hedrick, Karter Dunn, Millie Gaston, Chleby Bequette, Tyler Willias, and Ryder Yount. Local chapter adviser/teachers: Jarah McClain, Julie Clark, and Amanda Pogue also attended.
During the conference, over 1,200 students participated in competitive events that feature more than 107 competitive STAR Events and Show-Me Skill Events (Students Taking Action with Recognition). Events included Entrepreneurship, Culinary Arts, Job Interview, Chapter Service Project, Event Management, Early Childhood Education, Sports Nutrition, and many others. Missouri students also competed and gained valuable vocational experience with Show-Me Skills. Events included a $20 Clothing Challenge, Cake Decorating, Fiber Art, Impromptu Speaking, Pin It!, PR Photo Challenge, Toward New Horizons, Toys that Teach, and Venture NLC.
Our students did amazing, finishing:
STAR Events
Chapter in Review Display Level 1
Mercy Anderson, Mylei Francis, and Heidi DeClue - 1st Place (Advancing to Nationals)
Chapter in Review Display Level 3
Ashton Pogue, Jimmy Politte, Keller Loughary - 2nd Place (Advancing to Nationals
Chapter Service Project
Chelsi Glore & Heaven McClain - 6th Place (Chelsi advancing to Nationals for Skill Events)
Event Management
Karter Dunn - 10th Place
Focus on Children
Baylie Williams - 8th Place
Repurpose and Redesign Level 1
Briley Turner - 2nd Place (Advancing to Nationals
Repurpose and Redesign Level 2
Tyler Williams & Ryder Yount - 6th place
Repurpose and Redesign Level 3
Chelby Bequette & Millie Gaston - 8th Place
Show Me Skills
Cake Decorating
Audrey Sanders & Baylie Williams 3rd Place (Audrey advancing to Nationals for Skill Events)
Pin It
Jimmy Politte - The design for the pin was an idea that Jimmy had, but he is not artistic, so we recruited Bella Owens and Haliey Pyatt to help draw it, and they brought the idea to life. His submission was in the top 10 and was posted on social media for the public to vote on from March 7th to March 9th. This design will be turned into Missouri FCCLA's official trading pin for the National Leadership Conference and will be offered as a sticker in the FCCLA Store next year.
The design has Mark Twain, The Arch - Gateway to the West, a Clydesdale, The Cardinals, Blues, and Chiefs, and of course, a gold cancer ribbon to support childhood cancer.
Haylee Pyatt, Isabella Owens, and Jimmy Politte
FCCLA is unique among student organizations because projects and events, such as the State Leadership Conference, are planned and run by its student members. This prime focus on youth-centered leadership helps Missouri FCCLA members develop "skills for life" - planning, goal setting, problem solving, decision-making, and interpersonal communication - necessary in the workplace and in the home.
Pictured
Front Row: Keller Loughary, Ashton Pogue, Jimmy Politte
2nd Row: Heidi DeClue, Mercy Anderson, Mylei Francis, Briley Turner
3rd Row: Audrey Sanders, Baylie Williams, Heaven McClain, Chelsi Glore
4th Row: Colton Hedrick, Karter Dunn, Millie Gaston, Chelby Bequette
Not Pictured: Tyler Williams and Ryder Yount