California Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Delegation attended the National Leadership Conference in Washington D.C., July 6–10, 2026

This year the California Delegation had increased participation at the 2026 FCCLA National Leadership Conference (NLC) which included 27 FCCLA Chapters, 4 State Officers, State Advisor Melissa Webb, and 211 members, chapter advisors, and guests. This annual conference brought together over 10,000 Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America student members, advisers, and guests from across the United States and U.S. territories. The conference welcomed students from across the nation for a week of competition, leadership development, and career exploration. The 2026 FCCLA NLC marked a historic moment as attendees gathered in the nation’s capital as Washington, D.C., and communities across the country commemorated America’s 250th anniversary. The 2025–2026 FCCLA annual theme, ConneCTEd highlighted the powerful role connection plays in career readiness and leadership development. Through FCCLA, students connect classroom learning with real-world opportunities, personal interests with future goals, and individual leadership with a national network of peers, educators, and industry professionals.

Irene Gutierrez (Alvord Unified) was elected as the National Vice President of Parliamentary Law and will serve on the 2026–27 National Executive Council. Due to increased membership, California FCCLA had 11 voting delegates: David Avery (State VP of Finance), Claire Goodman (State VP of Membership), Yaretzi Guzman (State VP of Programs), Roman High (State VP of Community Service), Samuel Ramirez, Kyrah Fournier, Megan Padilla, Yarely Tello, Julie Trotter, Jorge Mondragon, and Lydia Sanchez. Samuel Ramirez also served as the California Nominating Committee Representative. FCCLA attendees participated in the Rally on Capitol Hill and the California FCCLA State Officers met with legislative staff from Senator Alex Padilla and Senator Adam B. Schiff’s offices. During the Say Yes to FCS Signing Ceremony, Roselynn Tompkins (Central East HS) and Yaretzi Salazar (Pioneer Valley HS) were recognized and have said Yes to FCS to become future teachers!

We are excited to announce that our California delegation included 96 competitors who represented their chapters and were awarded 28 gold, 52 silver, and 16 bronze medals. Additionally, 19 competitors placed in the top 10 in the nation for their STAR events listed below:

• Samie Sites (Oak Ridge HS) – Baking & Pastry, Level 3
• Layla Arvance & Kaitlyn Campbell (Madera HS) – Chapter in Review Portfolio, Level 3
• Joseph Campos (Cordova HS-Postsecondary) -Culinary Arts, Level 4
• Desiree Flores, Lesly Guevara, Ashley Ruiz (Paramount HS) – Entrepreneurship, Level 3
• Batool Zawahreh (Julia Lee Performing Arts Academy) – Leadership, Level 2
• Cathy Yu (Alvarado Intermediate School) – Personal Finance, Level 1
• Amberly Taylor (Rowland HS) – Personal Finance, Level 2
• Rachel Grossman (Torrance HS) – Personal Finance, Level 3
• Paloma Eadie & Crystal Nweke (Alvarado Intermediate School) – Professional Presentation, Level 1
• Christian Hernandez & Dayana Ruiz Alvarez (Paramount HS) – Professional Presentation, Level 2
• Aidan Cha & Daniela Mercado (Paramount HS) – Professional Presentation, Level 3
• Georgianna Calestini (Argonaut HS) – Repurpose and Redesign, Level 3
• Giovanni Guevara-Lopez (Madera South HS) – Say Yes to FCS Education, Level 2

During the Advisor Recognition Session, Tracy Taylor (Rowland HS) received the National Spirit of Advising Award, Alessandra Apsley (Core Charter) was recognized for the Master Adviser Academy, and Monica Facey (Etna HS) was recognized for the New Chapter Advisor Academy. California received the 2025–26 FCCLA Increased Membership Award with 19,638 members an increase of 2,097 members from 2024-2025. California FCCLA State Advisor Melissa Webb-Flanner received her 10-year plaque for years of State Advisor service.

About FCCLA
Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) is a national Career Technical Student Organization that prepares students for careers through Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Education. Since 1945, FCCLA has provided leadership development, workplace readiness, and career preparation opportunities that equip students with the skills needed for success in life and work. Guided by dedicated FCS Educators, FCCLA members develop critical thinking, communication, collaboration, leadership, and problem-solving skills while exploring career opportunities aligned with the national Career Clusters. With more than a quarter of a million FCCLA members in over 5,500 chapters nationwide, FCCLA continues to prepare the next generation of leaders to make a lasting impact in their careers, families, and communities.

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