Greensburg Salem students recognized for work at leadership conference

A group of Greensburg Salem juniors brought home the gold at a state leadership and career organization conference.

The Greensburg Salem chapter of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America competed in leadership project presentation events at the March 19 competition in Lancaster.

Students Lisa Leeman, Brenna Kohl and Karma Schall received gold recognition for their projects and qualified for the upcoming national competition in Seattle.

Leeman presented on her workshop that teaches students the best ways to take advantage of and present themselves professionally on online career platforms such as LinkedIN. Kohl and Schall presented on their food and personal care item drive, which began at the school level and expanded to benefit Helping Hands Across Westmoreland.

Students Emily Ruggeri and Azreal Franklin placed silver for projects in event management and professional presentation, respectively, and the Greensburg Salem chapter as a whole received awards for their participation in the organization’s programs and their community service work.

“Students got to pick whatever type of project, as long as it aligned to the parameters of the guidelines of the event, and then were able to develop a presentation on their project,” Greensburg Salem family and consumer sciences teacher and FCCLA chapter advisor Morgan Ferczak explained. “They had to present it in front of a group of evaluators.”

Through the organization, students focus on real-world skills, especially those related to careers and pathways with hospitality, tourism, visual arts, human services, education and training, as well as participate in community service work.

“They are able to explore, get some career prep, learn how to service others, and really, recognize that they can make a difference where they’re at,” Ferczak said.