August 19, 2025
Students from Riverdale High School achieved prestigious national recognition at the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) National Leadership Conference, held from July 5 to 9 in Orlando, Florida. Guided by their advisors, Mrs. Wilsford, Mrs. Cline, and Mrs. Louden, the students demonstrated their skills, leadership, and commitment, earning multiple medals, national scholarships, and a second-place finish at the national level.
The Riverdale FCCLA chapter competed against students from all over the country and achieved the following results:
Food Innovation Level 3 STAR Event
• Sabrya Thomas – Gold Medal and 2nd Place in the Nation
o Scholarships earned:
- $5,000 – Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
- $3,500 – Culinary Institute of America
- $1,000 – Culinary School of Fort Worth
- $10,000 (Culinary/Baking degree) or $8,000 (other programs) – Sullivan University
Service Project Display Level 2 Team STAR Event
• Evie Harlan – Silver Medal
• Jazmine Welch– Silver Medal
• Mary Puac-Perez – Silver Medal
Career Investigation Level 2 STAR Event
• John Martinez – Silver Medal
FCCLA National Leadership Conference Scholarship
• John Martinez – Recipient of a scholarship valued at over $2,500. John was the only student from Tennessee to receive this prestigious award.
Earning national recognition is an extraordinary achievement, and these students have represented Riverdale and Rutherford County with excellence. “We are extremely proud of our students’ hard work and commitment,” said Mrs. Louden, FCCLA advisor. In addition to competing, students and advisors participated in team-building activities, including a highlight. trip to Universal Orlando Resort.FCCLA is a national Career and Technical Student Organization that offers students opportunities to develop leadership skills and prepare for careers in family and consumer sciences, culinary arts, education, hospitality, and other related fields. The annual National Leadership Conference gathers thousands of students from across the U.S. to compete in STAR Events (Students Taking Action with Recognition), attend leadership workshops, and network with industry professionals.
For more information about FCCLA and the National Leadership Conference, visit fcclainc.org.