Be it at home, in the classroom, or simply among peers, you can usually spot leaders, those who specialize in doing what is responsible and right, even when it’s not easy. Starting earlier this year, students have had increased access to leadership opportunities with the beginning of the Milford FCCLA, a new club that focuses on empowering and nurturing growth within its members.
Said FCCLA members participate in leadership-based activities, and the club is aimed at those with an “interest [in] education, healthcare, family planning, and just career in general,” said Ivy Platkus, the group’s leader. Meetings take place infrequently in Ms. Breen’s class, room 601, on Wednesdays, though the group meets more often closer to competitions.
Both Platkus and Breen have closely compared the FCCLA to another extracurricular here at Milford. “The club is very similar to DECA”, said Platkus, “you go to conferences and events, [there are] competitions, projects to showcase…some projects are like writing a kids book, making kid toys, lesson planning, but there’s a big range; it’s not all about…being an educator.” Breen agreed, noting that the FCCLA was, “like DECA, but for the human services; medical field, teaching, childcare, anything really that is more humanity centered than business.” This was the draw for those like Sophomore Maddie Keating and Junior Avery Massimilla, two of the FCCLA’s members. Keating believes the FCCLA provides a good opportunity to pursue endeavors like her interest in psychology; not dissimilarly, Massimilla remarked that, “I joined FCCLA because my friend started it and she said it was similar to DECA, but for human service jobs…and that is perfect for what I want to be, which is a nurse.”
Platkus’ professed that her goal for the year is for the Milford Chapter to make it to State competitions, such as the State Leadership Conference being held in Lansing late this February; other ‘Competitive Events’, as they’re known in FCCLA circles, include regional and national competitions. According to Keating, competitions involve things like picking the best solution to, say, a child development issue, perhaps something like handling an allergic reaction in the classroom. Massimilla also clarifies that, “One day of […] it is when we present what we did and the other days are more so us networking / talking with people and doing group activities. Specific projects and activities would fall under associated electives, such as Interior Design, Child Development, and Health, among others. “Each event is curated to help members develop specific lifelong skills” declares the official website, “in character development, creative and critical thinking, interpersonal communication, practical knowledge, and career preparation.”
The FCCLA, or the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America, is actually a nationwide organization that aims to give its members the tools and opportunities for success in careers, personal life, and the community. Through their website, the FCCLA claims to have more than 250,000 student members, and some 5,400 chapters throughout the country; the Milford High School Chapter is one of under 40 in Michigan. Started in 1945 as the FHA (Future Homemakers of America), the organization was initially intended to teach young women how to be homemakers; in order to better represent the evolution of their programs (and to avoid looking like their M.O. was churning out housewives) they rebranded at the turn of the century, becoming the FCCLA. Interestingly, the organization can look a little different depending on the state; the Missouri FCCLA, for example, has a lot more chapters than the Michigan FCCLA, and breaks them up into 14 different regions. The smallest of these regions contains over a dozen chapters, while the largest has over 60 – in fact, several of the regions in Missouri have more Chapters than Michigan has overall.
As one of few in the state, the Milford Chapter is pretty unique- unfortunately, though, there are a couple of barriers to entry. First, there’s a yearly membership fee of $20; not an absurd amount, but also not nothing. Secondly, students must have taken (or be taking) one of Breen’s classes, which include Health, Interior Design, Adult Skills for Living, and all of the Education General classes. For those that qualify, though, Milford High School’s new FCCLA Chapter may just be a great new chance to engage (and compete!) with like-minded peers on the basis of genuine leadership.