Delaware middle school students showed off their culinary, career and leadership skills earlier this month at the Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) State Leadership Conference and Middle School Exploratory Event at Junior Achievement of Delaware. This dynamic event brought together students from across the state to develop critical work-readiness skills, explore diverse career pathways, enhance financial literacy, and chart their academic and professional futures.

The Delaware Department of Education-hosted event was enhanced through the sponsorship and support of the Delaware Restaurant Association, Delaware Restaurant Foundation, and the Delaware Teacher Academy Foundation, whose contributions ensured a meaningful experience for all participants.

Students participated in a wide array of skill-based competitive events, including professional presentation, public advocacy, culinary knife skills, nutrition and wellness, food innovation, sports nutrition, and repurpose and redesign projects. Each competition encouraged students to showcase their expertise and creativity while gaining real-world experience in their respective fields.

Highlighting the event, Brandywine High School’s Culinary & Hospitality program provided catering services for the conference, offering students a valuable work-based learning opportunity. 

Celebrating Student Excellence

The following students were recognized for their outstanding achievements during the conference:

Culinary Knife Skills

• Kylie Medler (Capital School District’s Dover Middle School) – Silver Medalist
• Aiden Newman (Dover Middle School) – Silver Medalist
• Neveah Jalulah (Dover Middle School)  – Gold Medalist
• Cecilia Rhine (Dover Middle School) – Gold Medalist & State Champion

Food Innovation

• Gianna Howard, Adalynn Perry, & Layla Poppitt (Red Clay Consolidated School District’s H.B. duPont Middle School)- Bronze Medalists
• Kourtney Hermansader, Quinn Wooldridge, & Mary Hall (H.B. duPont Middle School) – Silver Medalists

Nutrition & Wellness

• Sarah Czerwonka & Vritika Mehta (H.B. duPont Middle School) – Silver Medalists

Professional Presentation

• Brianna Corona-Rodriguez, Maybelle Garcia, & Emmanuel Guardado (H.B. duPont Middle School) – Silver Medalists
• Olivia Bao & Katherine O’Neill (H.B. duPont Middle School) – Gold Medalists & State Champions

Public Policy Advocate

• Tamara Noselli, Maya Worth, & Arya Acevedo (H.B. duPont Middle School) – Gold Medalists & State Champions

Repurpose & Redesign

• Olivia Taylor & Sienna Walls (H.B. duPont Middle School) – Silver Medalists
• Justin Schorah & Gabriel Scott (H.B. duPont Middle School) – Gold Medalists & State Champions

Sports Nutrition

• Addison Inkell & Charlotte Wiesen (H.B. duPont Middle School) – Gold Medalists
• Gavin Salfas (H.B. duPont Middle School) – Gold Medalist & State Champion

This event highlights the remarkable talent, dedication, and creativity of Delaware’s Career & Technical FCCLA students. By participating in these competitions and exploratory activities, students are better prepared to excel in their chosen career paths and make meaningful contributions to their communities.

Find photos online here.

For more information on the Delaware FCCLA and its programs, visit www.delawarepathways.org or contact State Advisor [email protected].