Standing confidently, the two students explain how their initiative has not only supported a cause close to their hearts but has brought the community together in ways they never imagined. With each word said, she showcases leadership, teamwork, and a passion that define FCCLA’s mission: taking action, inspiring change, and making an impact. And she thinks, “Everything I’ve done so far will be worth it.”

   As Vice President of Community Service for our FCCLA chapter, Amanda Garcia is partnering with Alexia Chacon to bake homemade dog treats for shelter animals. Garcia and Chacon will be competing in the National Programs In Action event February 28 at the Waco Convention Center. 

   “I’ve always been an animal lover, and I thought this event would be a perfect way to combine my desire to help the community with my love for animals,” Garcia said. “It’s fulfilling to know that we are making a tangible difference in the lives of these animals and helping raise awareness about the shelter’s work.”

   FCCLA stands for Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. It is a student organization for high school students. FCCLA has multiple events for members to participate in that help them develop leadership, career, and personal skills.

   “STAR events are a fundamental part of FCCLA because they provide students with the opportunity to not only demonstrate their abilities, but also be recognized for their efforts,” Garcia said. “The events promote the organization’s mission, which is to encourage students to take action, improve their leadership qualities, and serve their communities in meaningful ways.” 

   To help them “stay on track” Garcia and Chacon have been using the planning process because unlike other FCCLA events, STAR events contain multiple steps in between conducting research for the project to then performing it in front of a judge.

   “The planning process has helped make sure we are covering all the necessary steps like researching the best ingredients for dog-friendly treats, finding volunteers, and figuring out how to distribute them effectively,” Garcia said. “We’ve been consistently working on our project to ensure that everything is in place for the competition.

   According to Garcia, staying organized is crucial when handling this type of project, so both participants need to work together and find ways that work for them.

   “Alexia and I have a shared Google document for our project, where we outline all the tasks, deadlines, and goals,” Garcia said. “We also have a physical planner to write down daily and weekly goals. This system helps me stay focused and ensures I don’t overlook any important details.

   Garcia has to work around her schedule to make time for the project.

   “I keep a weekly calendar where I add specific times to do schoolwork, FCCLA activities, and our project,” Garcia said. “This approach helps me stay disciplined and ensures I give my best effort to each task. I’ve also learned the importance of using “free” time—like during lunch breaks or gaps between classes—to catch up on tasks and stay ahead of deadlines. Time management is a constant juggling act, but planning my schedule has made it a lot more manageable.

   Teamwork plays a huge role in the success of Garcia’s and Chacon’s project. Without the collaboration of each other and the people they’ve worked with Garcia feels like, “none of this would be possible.”

   “It’s a true team effort,” Garcia said. “And I’ve learned the importance of clear communication, delegation, and mutual support. Each member’s contribution, no matter how small, is essential to the project’s success.”

   On top of teamwork, Garcia is improving her skills and plans to demonstrate it through her hard work.

   “I’m working primarily on improving my communication skills,” Garcia said. “clear and effective communication is crucial. I’m focused on ensuring that everyone who wants to help knows how they can contribute, whether it’s by making treats, distributing them, or spreading awareness about the shelter. I plan to showcase my communication skills during the presentation by confidently explaining our project’s goals, its progression and how it benefits the animals at the shelter.”

   And in order to practice effective communication, Garcia plans to bring recognition to her and Chacon’s work.

   “I want to highlight the journey of our project from the planning stages to the moment we delivered the treats to the shelter,” Garcia said. “Using social media to document our progress and share updates has also been helpful, and I plan to showcase those posts during my presentation to give the judges a more visual representation of our efforts. I believe that sharing our experience in a personal and relatable way will help engage the audience and show the true impact of our work.

   Not only is Garcia working to improve her skills for the STAR event, but she is actively gaining insights that she can apply towards her future.

   “I’ve gained valuable leadership experience, especially in managing a project from simply having an idea to performing it,” Garcia said. “I’ve also learned the importance of teamwork and community engagement, as our project required collaboration with local volunteers and the animal shelter. Whether I’m leading a team in a professional setting or coordinating community service projects, the skills I’ve developed through this experience will serve me well.

   When preparing for a competition like STAR Events, Garcia tries to manage stress by taking deep breaths and practicing mindfulness. 

   “I remind myself that feeling stressed is normal,” Garcia said. “but it’s important not to let it overwhelm me. Taking a short break or going for a walk can help clear my mind and reduce the pressure. When presenting in front of an audience, I tend to get nervous, but I’ve learned to handle it by taking a minute to gather my thoughts before I speak.”

   By practicing their presentation in front of family, Garcia and Chacon received constructive feedback and Garcia uses it to boost her confidence for future rehearsals.

   My family recommended that I work on making my opening stronger and more engaging,” Garcia said. “I took that advice to heart and reworked my introduction to make it more attention-grabbing, starting with a story about one of the dogs we’re helping. I plan to continue rehearsing until I feel completely confident in delivering the presentation smoothly.”

   Garcia has put a lot of time and energy to prepare for her and there are multiple different reasons for her to be proud of her and Chacon’s project, but she is fulfilled with the impact they’ve had on the dogs in the shelter. 

   “It feels amazing to know that our project is directly benefiting the animals who need it most,” Garcia said. “I’m also proud that Alexia and I came together to make this project a success. Everyone has put in so much effort, from baking the dog treats to organizing the distribution. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see the tangible results of our hard work whether it’s seeing the dogs enjoy the treats or hearing positive feedback from the shelter about how our contribution is making a difference.”