Mena Middle School Attends STAR Events

SUBMITTED –

Mena Middle School Family, Career and Community Leaders of America recently represented TEAM Mena at State STAR Events.  Students Taking Action with Recognition (STAR Events) recognize members for proficiency and achievement in chapter and individual projects, leadership skills, and career preparation.  STAR events offer individual skill development and application of learning through cooperative, individualized, and competitive activities.  When preparing for this event students use a wide range of academic skills in real life situations.  These events develop lifetime skills such as character development, creative and critical thinking, interpersonal communication, practical knowledge, and career preparation.

Payton Medlin and Ryan Sullivan earned Gold in the Food Innovations Junior Category with the creation of a food product called ‘Honey Fingers’.  The food innovations category participants develop a food product, create a prototype formula, test the product through focus groups and develop a marketing strategy.  Participants demonstrate their knowledge of food science, nutrition, food preparation safety, and product marketing.  Participants must prepare a display, suggested product packaging and an oral presentation.  The challenge was to develop a snack product featuring at least one locally sourced ingredient, which could be used to promote local tourism or civic pride.  Students also determined production costs and profit margins.  They surveyed individuals of multiple age groups who would consume the product.  They surveyed these individuals following their taste test and used the feedback to perfect their product.  They received scores which qualified them to be a National Alternate.

Faith Chaney earned Silver in the Illustrated Talk Junior Category.  Illustrated Talk competitors make an oral presentation about issues concerning Family and Consumer Sciences and/or related occupations.  Students prepare a file folder of information, and oral presentation, and visuals.  Faith chose to speak about her personal experience with Aplastic Anemia.  She included information about the condition, statistics related to Aplastic Anemia, and shared how students with conditions similar to Aplastic Anemia can find and create solutions to be involved with their normal activities, such as school.  She also spoke about how she gave back to the community as they supported her.

Tateli Thacker and Lindsey Logan earned Gold in the Life Event Planning Junior Category.   Life Event Planning requires students to manage and budget costs of an event.  They pick a specific occasion and plan for that occasion from start to finish, including making a financial plan and expense sheet, comparison pricing for all expenses.  They are required to contact professional individuals in the appropriate fields for the items they will need to purchase or rent for the event.  They must complete a portfolio and oral presentation.  Tateli and Lindsey planned a ‘Sweet 16 Party’.  They chose to throw a pool party with a glowing theme.  They incorporated many ideas they researched through Pinterest.  Whenever possible they used local resources and products to keep costs down and shop local.  Also they made an alternate plan in case the weather was not cooperative. Tateli and Lindsey earned in the top 2 of this category and will be competing in the National Star Events to be held at the National FCCLA Convention in Washington D.C. in July.

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Jeri Pearson

Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.

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