.jpg)
Trynity Zach, Autumn Anderson, Josh Fuerhoff Hartington-Newcastle High School Wildcat Press
HARTINGTON — For six months, members of the Hartington-Newcastle Family Community and Career Leaders of America (FCCLA) Chapter have been preparing to showcase their talents.
The Wildcat FCCLA chapter will travel to Wayne State College on Monday, Feb. 2, to compete in district Students Taking Action with Recognition (STAR) Events.
Since the beginning of the school year, students have been designing selected projects with the end goal of qualifying for the state competition at the end of March in Lincoln at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
“We have a lot of students participating,” Hartington-Newcastle FCCLA advisor Kelsey Schumacher said. “The kids are very competitive.”
FCCLA members in grades 7-12 choose from 30 competitive events based on the Career Clusters framework. With the guidance of Schumacher, students are able to explore a variety of topics that interest them in family and consumer science. Schumacher said the students work hard to prepare fora chance to go to state.
“We work hard to make sure they have their projects done before Christmas,” Schumacher said. “After that, we are practicing to make their project look nice,and I feel like we are in a good spot.”
Schumacher said the chapter has grown significantly since it started in 2018. The 2025-2026 chapter has 46 members, with 34 students competing at districts. Chapter president Allison Huesers, who has been a member for three years and is a three-time state medalist, credits FCCLA with developing communication skills.
“My projects have helped me become more social and independent,” Huesers said. “I have the confidence now to speak in front of people.”
Linden Bensen, who is in her first year in the chapter and preparing to compete at districts, said she joined because she saw the fun and success last year’s seventh graders had while participating in the organization.
“It has been fun,” Bensen said. “You can go to so many places and be with your friends while you make new friends.”
The chapter has seen unprecedented success at the district, state, and national competitions in recent years. In the past two years, over 40 students have earned a spot at the national competition. In that time, 14 students earned a top three finish at nationals, with nine bringing home top honors.
The journey to continue the national success of the program starts at Wayne State next Monday. Those who qualify at districts will competeat state at the end of March. Schumacher said she feels confident with the students’ preparation ahead of districts.
“I feel like we are in a good spot to compete well,” Schumachersaid.
