(St. Leon, IN) – The 2025 Indiana FCCLA State Leadership Conference is officially in the books, and what a fantastic event it was! The conference was held February 27-28 at the Horizon Convention Center in Muncie. Students had the opportunity to shine as stars in FCCLA, showcasing their skills, dedication, and leadership.
The conference kicked off with an inspiring opening session featuring keynote speaker Craig Hilliard, who motivated attendees with his powerful message on leadership and perseverance. A huge congratulations goes out to the 2024–2025 Indiana FCCLA State Officer Team for their exceptional leadership.
A special thank you to the East Central High School FCCLA State Officers for their outstanding contributions: Layla Craig as First Vice President, Kayla Craig as Vice President of Community Service, Chloe Offenbacker as Vice President of Membership, and Abby Cross as Vice President of Public Relations.
The East Central High School FCCLA Chapter was also recognized as a Gold Honor Chapter. They were one of 11 chapters recognized across the state. In addition they were awarded the 30 X 30 award and 50 X 50 award and all school affiliation membership awards.
Their hard work, along with that of their peers, was evident in the incredible results achieved at the conference. The East Central High School FCCLA chapter proudly earned 39 Gold Medals, 16 Silver Medals, and six Bronze Medals. Additionally, 40 students qualified for Nationals, with seven students named alternates—a testament to their dedication and talent. Special recognition goes to Abby Cross, who was elected as the Indiana FCCLA State President for 2025-26, along with Macy Lyness as Vice President of Development and Parker Simpson as Vice President of Membership. Their leadership will continue to propel Indiana FCCLA forward.
East Central High School FCCLA students excelled across various events.
Gold medalists and national qualifiers include Aislyn Ankenman in Community Service Display, Lexy Babb in Focus on Children, Katie Baier in Focus on Children, Brooklyn Botts in Interpersonal Communication, Savannah Campbell in Community Service Portfolio, Kayla Craig in Community Service Display and ProStart, Layla Craig in Community Service Display, Dakotah Dawley in Interpersonal Communication, Dustine Dawley in Interpersonal Communication, Kendra Earnshaw in Interpersonal Communication, Kamdyn Galey in Teach & Train, Addie Greer in Professional Presentation, Josie Haarmeyer in Repurpose Redesign, Chloe Hensley in Professional Presentation, Elle Jankovsky in Focus on Children, Tatum Johnson in Baking & Pastry, Natalie Kirchagassner in Interpersonal Communication, Madalynn Kyle in Interior Design, Courtney Lewis in Focus on Children, Macy Lyness in Community Service Portfolio, Nathan McFee in ProStart, Connor Murray in ProStart, Emily Newkirk in Career Investigation, Isabella Nichols in Community Service Portfolio, Elly Niese in Focus on Children, Emmarie Nowlin in Fashion Design, Chloe Offenbacker in Career Investigation, Grace Pennington in ProStart, Audrey Rouse in Interpersonal Communication, Kara Rowland in Community Service Display, Maddie Ruwe in Interior Design, Parker Simpson in Repurpose Redesign, Kailyn Stanley in Focus on Children, Ella Stenger in Interpersonal Communication, Brooke Williams in Focus on Children, Josie Wolf in Community Service Portfolio, Hailey Rack in Professional Presentation.
Silver medalists and alternates include Mackenzie Beever in Fashion Design, Payton Boone in Community Service Display, Savannah Clary in National Programs in Action, Naomi Dickerson in National Programs in Action, Delaney Donawerth in Job Interview, Kyleigh Dudley in Focus on Children, Rylee Enda in Baking & Pastry, Allyson Frazier in National Programs in Action, Phoebe Gillispie-Metts in Fashion Design, Eliza Littleton in Community Service Display, Owen Mersmann in Repurpose Redesign, Emily Mitts in National Programs in Action, Caitlin Reniff in Focus on Children, Evan Rumpke in Baking and Pastry, Carson Scudder in National Programs in Action, and Abby Cross in Leadership.
Bronze medalists include Hadley Anthony in ProStart, Emily Florence in Teach & Train, Emilie Kist in Baking and Pastry, Candace Noel in ProStart, Madison Noel in ProStart, and AJ Rumpke in Fashion Design.
In addition to these outstanding results, several students were recognized with State Project Awards, all receiving gold medals. Kayla and Layla Craig earned the FCCLA In Action Community Service Award, Kara Rowland won the FCCLA in Action Families First Award, Naomi Dickerson was recognized in FCCLA in Action FACTS, Abby Cross received the FCCLA in Action Career Connections Award, Chloe Offenbacker was honored in FCCLA in Action Stand UP, Chloe Hensley excelled in FCCLA in Action Financial Fitness, and Emily Newkirk was awarded in the SMILE Project.
Kayla Craig, East Central High School Senior also received the Indiana FCCLA Hospitality and Tourism Scholarship Pathway Scholarship to further her education.
Despite challenges such as snow days and an earlier state conference, the students demonstrated resilience and excellence. The success of this event would not have been possible without the incredible support of co-advisors Brenda Osman, Ashley McConnell and Josie Bonilla, who played a vital role in mentoring and guiding these students.
“This experience continues to inspire me year after year,” said Brenda Osman, FCCLA advisor. “Seeing these students excel and embrace the values of Family and Consumer Sciences is truly rewarding. I am honored to work in a school and community that supports our mission.”
The success of this year’s conference is a clear reflection of the passion, dedication, and perseverance of both students and advisors. The future is bright for these young leaders as they prepare to represent their school and state at the national level in Orlando, Florida in July.
(East Central FCCLA press release)
