Riverside High FCCLA teams earn top honors at state conference

Blair England, Shiloh Monroe and Shelbie McLemore brought home first-place Gold in Repurpose and Redesign, Jr., giving Riverside High School’s FCCLA chapter a standout finish at Tennessee’s State Leadership Conference in Chattanooga.

The conference was held April 9-11, 2026, at the Chattanooga Convention Center and drew students, advisers and industry partners from across Tennessee. Tennessee FCCLA describes the gathering as its premier event for human services, education, design and hospitality leaders, with competitive events, leadership academy sessions, career exploration and a college-and-career fair all part of the program.

For Riverside, the result matters because FCCLA’s STAR Events are judged at the regional, district, state and national levels, with students recognized for proficiency and achievement in chapter and individual projects, leadership skills and career preparation. In practical terms, the Gold finish shows that England, Monroe and McLemore delivered under competition pressure in an event built around creativity, preparation and clear presentation of an idea.

The placement also carries weight beyond the trophy. FCCLA says participation in its conferences helps members build real-world skills and become college- and career-ready, and the organization also offers merit-based scholarships for members. That makes a top state finish more than a school honor; it can strengthen a student’s record for future applications, interviews and career-path opportunities.

Riverside High School’s FCCLA chapter says its purpose is to support personal development, prepare students for adult life, strengthen the family as a basic unit of society and encourage democracy through cooperative action in the home and community. The state recognition fits that mission by showing that students can turn classroom and chapter work into a measurable result on a larger stage.

For Decatur County Schools, the Chattanooga trip gave Riverside students a chance to represent the district in a statewide competition where performance is measured by judges, not applause. With a first-place Gold in hand, England, Monroe and McLemore returned with a credential that reflects both skill and follow-through, and a result that speaks directly to the value of school-based leadership training.