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BLOOMINGDALE -- Paige Furbee, a Jefferson County Joint Vocational School alumna, successfully represented her district after earning second place in the National Family, Career and Community Leaders of America Conference held in Seattle.
Furbee is the daughter of Mike and Danielle Furbee of Bergholz, and a recent graduate of Edison High School.
Furbee had the opportunity to travel to the Emerald City June 29-July 3 and was joined by an estimated 10,000 people, including advisers and chaperones.
Furbee studied early childhood education at the JVS, placing second in a competition that involved more than 50 contestants in her category. She received a silver medal for her efforts during the awards ceremony held at the Seattle Conference Center.
"I had to create a lesson plan in under 20 minutes," Furbee explained of her top-finisher position. "The activity had to be in the theme of 'Four Seasons' and I had to present the activity to the judges. I placed with silver and scored a 70 on my rubric. I feel good about my placement. It was a great opportunity and I'm honored that I made it that far."
Furbee was joined by family members and Rebecca Kelley, her ECE instructor. In addition to competing and attending conference sessions, she had the opportunity to sightsee around Seattle.
Among her stops were the Space Needle, Seattle Zoo and Aquarium, Museum of Pop Culture, Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum, the Gum Wall, Pike Place Market and a Mariners baseball game. Kelley was pleased with Furbee's abilities, saying she has a bright future ahead.
"I am very proud of her for making it to nationals," she commented. "It is an honor to be able to accompany her there and be part of the journey with her. Paige is a very motivated and creative student who puts her all into projects. She is very passionate about young children and working with them. She is a very caring, compassionate, young adult who enjoys working with young children and it shows by her performance at nationals."
Meanwhile, Furbee plans to attend college next year and obtain a bachelor's degree.
But for now, she hopes to work as a childcare aide. She credits her time at the JVS for giving her the tools needed to begin her next chapter.
"The JVS has been such a great opportunity for me," she concluded. "It has provided me with so many benefits. I would like to add that my teacher, Ms. Kelley, has been such a great teacher and adviser for my time at the JVS."