Schools

Lacey Teen Advances To National Leadership Competition

Brandie Kraft will be participating in the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America 2011 National Leadership Conference

For the second straight year, Brandie Kraft, 18, of Lacey Township will be traveling to compete in a national leadership conference in July.

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 March, qualifying her to compete on the national level. Only two schools were selected to represent New Jersey at the national conference, which will be held in Orlando, Fla.

Kraft along with Alyssa Bretweiser of Toms River 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.

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“(Kraft) is highly regarded as one of my best students,” said Edwina Williams, Fashion Merchandising and Design Instructor.

Kraft attending the conference last year after she earned a medal for a similar project, Williams said.

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“By attending the conference last year, they were able to see projects from other schools,” she said. “This year, the board is more creative and more professionally done.”

Kraft said the students participated in an electronic project making a jacket light up. The project was featured on the board and the judges especially enjoyed that portion, she said.

Last week, a state advisor critiqued the project, which gives the students the opportunity to make alterations, Williams said.

“She was so impressed by the board they did this year, they didn’t have to make any major changes to it, which shows that they definitely learned from their experience last year” she said.

The girls will be competing in the Chapter Showcase Event for further judging of the project and will be attending meetings, listening to motivational speakers, workshops, competitive events, networking, and leadership training.

“Last year the conference was awesome. I learned a whole lot of leadership skills and met a lot of people,” she said. “I’m hoping to network with more people.”

Kraft is also looking forward to learning from the designated speakers who she calls “inspirational.”

Upon graduation, Kraft plans to attend Brookdale Community College and will later transfer to either LIM, a fashion merchandising school or the Fashion Institute of Technology, both of which are in New York City.

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


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