As one of the state’s most successful middle school chapters of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), John Adams Middle School’s membership continues to grow.
The chapter’s 60 students, who are preparing for a statewide competition next month, invited Senator Patrick Diegnan to meet with them at their Edison Township school on Wednesday to discuss state government and current events.
“This group of young leaders embodies all that is promising about our country’s future,” said Diegnan, who solicited the chapter’s input on several issues including bullying in schools. “I was thoroughly impressed with the thoughtfulness of their responses and their ability to clearly articulate their thoughts. These students shared some profound insight and were mature beyond their years.”
A career and technical student organization for grades 6-12 that functions as part of a school district’s Family and Consumer Sciences education curriculum, FCCLA provides members with opportunities for leadership development and prepares them for adulthood.
More than 3,000 middle and high school students comprise New Jersey’s FCCLA Association. Members develop skills for life through character development, creative and critical thinking, interpersonal communication, practical knowledge, and career preparation. The association provides challenging and competitive events, valuable leadership workshops, and exciting state conferences.
John Adams Middle School’s chapter will descend in late March upon Cherry Hill for a statewide leadership conference, during which members will participate in myriad activities including making a presentation to their peers about traffic safety.
The topic is of particular interest to Diegnan, who chairs the Senate Transportation Committee and who is the primary sponsor of several pieces of legislation regarding traffic safety, including the state’s recently enacted safe-passing law.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing how these students are able to promote traffic safety, which is among the most important issues right now facing our state,” Diegnan said. “I’m proud that an FCCLA chapter from our legislative district has selected this subject for its presentation.”
Fatima zohra Poonawalla, an eighth grader in John Adams Middle School’s FCCLA chapter, said the statewide leadership conference affords members an opportunity to participate in a variety of workshops, to engage with public speakers, and to learn from other chapters.
Poonawalla and seventh-grader Khilen Parikh, who is also a member of John Adams Middle School’s chapter, made a joint presentation about FCCLA to Diegnan in front of their fellow members during the state legislator’s visit.
Under the direction of faculty advisers Lauren Kramer (math teacher) and Susan Seago (family and consumer science teacher), who started the FCCLA chapter at John Adams Middle School six years ago, the student-run and student-led organization has garnered the state association’s prestigious Red Rose Award for four consecutive years.
“The Red Rose symbolizes how the organization gives joy and symbolizes the desire for beauty in our everyday lives,” the statewide association stated in its latest newsletter, noting the award recognizes chapters who excel in FCCLA achievements. “Each chapter is special and represents how FCCLA can change the lives of others. Our goal is to recognize the hard work and dedication of our chapters.”
The John Adams Middle School chapter also made an impact this academic year through community service. Members collected nonperishable food items for donation to Hands of Hope for the Community, an Edison-based nonprofit that feeds the hungry in Middlesex County. They also collected presents for donation to Toys for Tots, a program of the U.S. Marines that makes the holiday season special for children in need.
Parikh said helping alleviate food insecurity and providing toys for children whose parents could not afford to buy them gifts was rewarding.
During the holiday season, the students also baked and decorated 125 cupcakes for faculty and staff at John Adams Middle School as an expression of their appreciation.
The chapter members thanked Diegnan and his colleagues in the Legislature for their support of New Jersey FCCLA, which receives grant money from the state to operate.
Wednesday’s meeting fittingly took place during FCCLA Week (Feb. 12-18) and Career and Technical Education Month in New Jersey. The state supports several career and technical student organizations including FCCLA.
“We are a very active chapter,” Seago said, “and we are grateful for the state’s support.”
Senator Patrick Diegnan 