Lacey Teen Advances To National Leadership Competition

Brandie Kraft, 17, of Lacey Township will be traveling to the west coast to compete in a national leadership conference this month.

Kraft, a student from the Fashion Merchandising/Design Program at Ocean County Vocational Technical School, earned a medal in competition at the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) New Jersey State Conference, held in April, qualifying her to compete on the national level.

Kraft won in the FCCLA Chapter Showcase Event after designing a large display board depicting all of the club’s activities- community service projects and accomplishments throughout the past year.

“At the national leadership conference I will be competing in the Chapter Showcase Event for further judging of the project, and will be attending meetings and listening to motivational speakers,” Kraft said.

The national conference, “Imagination in Action,” will be held in Anaheim, Calif. and includes workshops, competitive events, networking, and leadership training.

Fashion Merchandising Instructor Edwina Williams was impressed that Kraft qualified for the national conference since she is a first year member of the FCCLA, she said.

“I joined FCCLA because my teacher, Mrs. Williams, is an advisor and we are all members by being in the class, whether we chose to participate in the events is up to us but I like being challenged,” Kraft said. “I have gained a lot of leadership skills and confidence. I'm no longer afraid to speak in front of a crowd, which had always been a weakness of mine.”

Upon graduation, Kraft plans to attend Brookdale Community College and will later transfer to LIM, a fashion merchandising school in New York City.

FCCLA is a national student organization focused on personal growth and leadership development through Family and Consumer Sciences Education.