By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Bradwell FCCLA attends national conference
Bradwell FCCLA attends national conference
Bradwell Institute students Morgan Brooks, Trinity Crawford, Trinitii Irwin, Lonese Moore and Mary Snelson represented the school’s FCCLA chapter at the national conference, along with adviser Kathryn Snelson and parent chaperone Deanna Wallace. Photo provided

Members of Bradwell Institute recently joined FCCLA members from across the country in Washington, D.C., for the 2026 FCCLA National Leadership Conference.

Representing Bradwell Institute were five students and two advisers/chaperones. During the conference, chapter members participated in competitive events, leadership sessions, national programs, service opportunities, and sightseeing.

Attending were rising seniors Morgan Brooks, Trinity Crawford, Trinitii Irwin, and Lonese Moore, and rising junior Mary Snelson. The adviser for the Bradwell Institute FCCLA chapter is Kathryn Snelson, and the parent chaperone was Deanna Wallace. Brooks, Crawford, Irwin, and Moore competed in the STAR Event Parliamentary Procedure and received a silver rating.

In addition to Bradwell FCCLA’s attendance and achievement, Georgia FCCLA celebrated an outstanding year of leadership and achievement at the conference. The state association recognized Emma Pitman, who completed her term as the National Vice President of Community Service, and celebrated the election of Graham Mull as the 2026–2027 National FCCLA President. Mull is only the second national president from Georgia. Georgia’s first National President was Luck Hendrix, who served in 1969.

Fourteen Georgia voting delegates represented the state association and participated in National FCCLA’s official business sessions. Georgia FCCLA members also achieved significant success in competitive events. A total of 253 Georgia students competed in 170 STAR Events competitions, earning:

  • 126 gold medals
  • 105 silver medals
  • 22 bronze medals Georgia also celebrated 38 students representing 21 Top 3 competitive-event entries and 109 students who were named Top 10 national finalists. For the 2025-26 school year, Georgia FCCLA was recognized as the second-largest FCCLA state association in the nation.

Several Georgia chapters and advisers also received national recognition. Bonaire Middle School and Feagin Mill Middle School received National Program Awards. DJ Youngblood of Monroe Area High School received the Educated Adviser Award, and Abby Peterson of Barrow Arts and Sciences Academy received the Spirit of Advising Award.

“This is my 24th year as a Family and Consumer Sciences teacher and FCCLA adviser,” adviser Kathryn Snelson said. “Attending NLC in Washington, DC, on the anniversary of the country’s 250 years as a nation was an amazing experience. I enjoy traveling with my students and watching their hard work pay off. I am also extremely grateful for the support of my school system and others who sponsored our trip.”

The National Leadership Conference gave members opportunities to strengthen their leadership skills, explore career pathways, compete at the national level, participate in the organization’s business, and connect with FCCLA members from across the country.

FCCLA, or Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, is a national Career and Technical Student Organization for students enrolled in Family and Consumer Sciences education. Through leadership development, community service, competitive events, and career preparation, FCCLA empowers students to become leaders in their families, careers, and communities.

For more information about Bradwell Institute FCCLA, contact Kathryn Snelson at ksnelson@ liberty.k12.ga.us or 912--876-6121. For more information about Georgia FCCLA, visit www.georgiafccla.org.