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HARTINGTON — Hartington-Newcastle FCCLA members turned in a dominant performance at the Nebraska State Leadership Conference, qualifying 22 students for national competition while earning multiple state championships and top finishes.
The March 29–31 conference in Lincoln brought together FCCLA members from across the state to compete in STAR events and leadership activities.
HNS students captured several state titles and runner-up finishes, highlighting the strength and depth of the program.
Leading the way, the Chapter in Review Portfolio team of Stella Sudbeck, Londynn Morten, and Abrie Humphries earned a gold medal and state championship in Level 1, while Ziva Stratman and Katelyn Uldrich claimed a gold medal and state title in Level 2. Both teams qualified for nationals. In Interpersonal Communication, Brooke Kalin, Lauren Uldrich, and Quinn Stratman earned gold medals and a state championship, also advancing to nationals.
Allison Huesers captured a gold medal and state title in Say Yes to FCS (Level 2), while Kaylee Kloster won a gold medal and state championship in Level 3 of the same event. Both qualified for nationals.
Additional national qualifiers included Hadley Grutsch, Nora Lange and Jocelyn Reyes, who earned gold and a state runner-up finish in Chapter Service Project Portfolio (Level 2); Keira Carl and Brooklyn Lenhoff, who took silver and runner-up honors in Event Management (Level 1); and Kloe Fischer, who placed as state runner-up in Job Interview (Level 2) with a gold medal.
Karissa Bruning also earned a gold medal and national qualification in Job Interview (Level 3), while Ella Kelly earned gold and a runner-up finish in Promote and Publicize (Level 2).
Haleigh Lammers, Celia Gall, Ella Hoeppner earned silver medals and a state championship in Nutrition and Wellness (Level 1), also qualifying for nationals.
Other national qualifiers included Vayda Lippert, who earned gold in Teach or Train (Level 2).
Additional medalists for Hartington-Newcastle included Danika Kleinschmit and Samantha Thoene (silver, Chapter Service Project Display, Level 1); Brynlee Feilmeier, Lily Heikes, and Maggie Lippert (silver, Focus on Children, Level 1); Jerze Hunt, Emma Hoeppner, and Willa Sage (silver, Professional Presentation, Level 1); and Linden Bensen and Malyla Zach (gold, Repurpose and Redesign, Level 1).
In earlier recognition, Olivia Olsen earned a gold medal in Career Investigation (Level 2).
Katelyn Uldrich and Allison Huesers were also recognized as state peer officer candidates, while FCCLA adviser Kelsey Schumacher received the organization’s Ace Award.
