Warren captures Ohio win in FCCLA competition

BLOOMINGDALE -- Karlee Warren, a senior at the Jefferson County Christian School, recently traveled to Ohio's capital, where not only did she compete in the Future Career and Community Leaders of America competition, but she excelled in her category -- bringing home the state's gold.

An early childhood education student at the Jefferson County Joint Vocational School, Warren achieved one of two top-place finishes. By obtaining a gold ranking and taking home second place in her program's ECE category, she has earned the right to display her talents and skills during the upcoming FCCLA's National Leadership Conference in Denver, July 2-6.

The state event, which was held at the Ohio Expo Center's Kasich Hall, took place April 27-28, with Warren's competition entailing the task of creating a preschool lesson plan within a 20-minute timeframe. Provided with the materials, she created her plan and presented her project designed for 3 and 4 year olds, to the judges. In addition to receiving a gold ranking, she also earned second place out of 13 competitors within her category.

And that was enough for her to not only represent her school and her hometown, but her entire state.

"I'm very excited to be representing the school, but I'm also nervous at the same time," she exclaimed. However, nerves are somewhat normal when it comes to the task of competing, despite the fact that this isn't the first time Warren has presented in front of judges. She has contended for a top-place finish twice at state.

In addition, Warren's parents, Mike and Beth Rupert-Warren, will be attending the National Leadership Conference with their daughter, of whom they said they could not be more proud.

"We want to thank everyone for their prayers and support and ask to please just keep them coming," Rupert-Warren said.

She said she learned a lot from her ECE instructor at the JVS, Becky Kelley. During her two years at the school, she has been taught valuable lessons which she says she will carry with her throughout her life's work.

"It's definitely taught me a lot of different things and I'm grateful to have had Ms. Kelley because she encouraged me to be what I want to be," Warren said.

And in turn, Kelley praised Warren for her exciting achievement.

"It's exciting and it's an honor," Kelley commented. "It says a lot for the school to have representation at the national level." This will be the second time one of Kelley's students has made it to the national level.

Her current classroom aide, Brooke Mitchell-Wilson, achieved top ranking at state when she competed during her high school days. Her national opportunity took her to California in 2019.

Warren says she plans to attend Eastern Gateway Community College following graduation. She also plans to work at the Children's Academy in Wintersville, as well as having a career in the area of early childhood education.

The FCCLA's mission is "to promote personal growth and leadership through family and consumer Sciences education." It also focuses on the varying roles people take on in their lives including being family member, a wage earner and a community leader. The mission involves providing the opportunity to develop skills for life through "character development, creative and critical thinking, interpersonal communication, practical knowledge and career preparation."