FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Clovis, NM - The Clovis High School (CHS) chapter of Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) demonstrated outstanding achievement at the New Mexico FCCLA State Conference held March 29 - April 1 in Albuquerque, NM. The chapter proudly returned, winning the NMAA Chapter of the Year contest and with 19 National Competition Qualifiers, among other prestigious awards.
Conference Highlights
Clovis High School members participated in 10 unique workshops, providing students with lifelong skills such as budgeting, resume building, creativity, public speaking, teamwork, and mental health awareness.
Students attended a keynote by internationally recognized speaker, A'ric Jackson. A'ric inspired students, emphasizing a message of not letting your past define your future.
The chapter participated in the 2026 state-wide community service project: a book drive for the nonprofit organization, Read to Me! Clovis High School donated 876 books to help support their cause.
Two state officers, Joaquin Sanchez and Jose Llamas-Gallegos, completed their tenures as state officers for NM FCCLA. Joaquin Sanchez served as President, and Jose Llamas-Gallegos as First Vice President, both playing vital roles in the success of the 2026 State Leadership Conference.
Two Clovis High School students ran for state officer positions. Jose-llamas Gallegos was re-elected and will serve as State President for 2026-2027. Isabel Sanchez ran for the first time and was selected as First Vice President for 2026-2027.
Clovis High School students competed in STAR Events, resulting in 4 bronze placements, 22 silver placements, 13 gold placements, and 19 national qualifying students
Awards
The Clovis High School Chapter, along with multiple individuals, received various awards.
Chapter Awards:
2026 NMAA FCCLA Chapter of the Year
2026 Gold Level Chapter of Distinction Status
2026 Social Media Challenge Winner
Individual Awards:
2026 Third Purpose Award - Zhaniyah Holback
2026 Member of the Year - Joaquin Sanchez
STAR Events
Students Taking Action with Recognition (STAR) Events are Competitive Events in which members compete at the regional/district, state, and national levels. Students are recognized for proficiency and achievement in chapter and individual projects, leadership skills, and career preparation. STAR Events allow students to compete individually or as a team. There are more than 30 STAR Events that students can choose to compete in. Students are classified into levels based on their grade: Level 2 (Grades 9 and 10); Level 3 (Grades 11 and 12).
In total, 36 students competed in STAR events. 12 competed in state-level events. 24 students competed in National Level events. Of these national event competitors, 19 students qualified to compete at the 2026 National Conference in Washington, D.C. by meeting the requirement of placing 1st or 2nd in their event. Medal placements represent the range of a student's competitive event score: Gold (90-100), Silver (70-89), Bronze (1-69).
State Level Event Results:
Creed Presentation - Level 2 - Gold - 1st -
Evelyn Redman
Creed Presentation - Level 2 - Gold - 3rd -
Zhaniyah Holback
Creed Presentation - Level 2 - Silver - 4th -
Isabella Hooks
Culinary Knife Skills - Level 2 - Silver - 1st -
Mason Loucks
Culinary Knife Skills - Level 3 - Silver - 1st -
Daelene Ferrer
Pastry Arts - Level 3 - Gold - 1st -
Jefferson Santos
Thematic Promotion Digital - Level 3 - Silver - 1st -
Hailey Holmes, Jazleyn Quintana
Thematic Promotion Traditional - Level 2 - Silver - 1st -
Sophia Bingnear, Greg Castillejos-Pargas
Thematic Promotion Traditional - Level 3 - Silver - 2nd -
Karely Baeza, Sophie Roberts
Thematic Promotion Traditional - Level 3 - Bronze - 6th -
Emily Bjorklund, Luisana Loya-Avila
National Level Event Results:
Career Investigation - Level 2 - Gold - 1st -
Sahvanna Hill
Qualifies for Nationals
Career Investigation - Level 3 - Silver - 3rd
Mario Mejia
Qualifies for Nationals
Chapter in Review Display - Level 3 - Gold - 1st
Annelise Watson, Jose Llamas-Gallegos
Qualifies for Nationals
Early Childhood Education - Level 2 - Bronze - 2nd
Charlie Shelly
Entrepreneurship - Level 3 - Silver - 1st
Karely Baeza, Sophie Roberts
Qualifies for Nationals
Event Management - Level 2 - Bronze -
Sheyann Walker
Focus on Children - Level 2 - Silver - 1st
Jellenie Granillo, Alisson Lugo
Qualifies for Nationals
Hospitality, Tourism, and Recreation - Level 3 - Gold - 1st
Isabel Sanchez, Joaquin Sanchez
Qualifies for Nationals
Interior Design - Level 2 - Gold - 2nd
Yejin Cho, Natalie Mejia
Qualifies for Nationals
Job Interview - Level 2 - Gold - 1st
Olivia Forni
Qualifies for Nationals
Nutrition and Wellness - Level 2 - Gold - 1st
Danexy Gatica-Jijon
Qualifies for Nationals
Professional Presentation - Level 2 - Gold - 2nd
Evalene Connally
Qualifies for Nationals
Professional Presentation - Level 2 - Silver - 3rd
Shy'la Howard, Zhalline Meza
Sports Nutrition - Level 2 - Silver - 1st
Natalia Munoz
Qualifies for Nationals
Sports Nutrition - Level 2 - Silver - 2nd
Aliyah Lopez, Serenity Rodriguez
Qualifies for Nationals
Sports Nutrition - Level 3 - Silver - 2nd
Khylee Borjas
Qualifies for Nationals
Sports Nutrition - Level 3 - Silver - 4th
Jazleyn Quintana, AnJulie Villegas
About FCCLA
Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), formerly known as Future Homemakers of America (FHA), is a national Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) for students in Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) education. FCCLA offers intracurricular resources and opportunities for students to pursue careers that support families. Since 1945, FCCLA Members have been making a difference in their families, careers, and communities by addressing important personal, work, and societal issues through Family and Consumer Sciences education.
Clovis High School FCCLA Advisors include Amy Garcia and Jessica Prieto.
