Education Pathway D11

What an incredible weekend at the Colorado FCCLA State Leadership Conference in downtown Denver, April 2–4!

District 11 showed up in a big way with 97 attendees who represented their schools, chapters, and community with professionalism, leadership, and pride. We’re proud of how our students competed, supported one another, and stepped out of their comfort zones to try something new.

🎉 Conference Highlights
• Doherty High School earned its first FCCLA State Officer: congratulations to Emma Barr, Vice President of Public Relations & Publications!
• Holmes Middle School had the largest percentage increase in membership in the state.
• Holmes Middle School received the National Program FACTS Award.
• Kelly Gauck was honored with the Red Thread Award.
• The Spanish Peaks District was named District of Excellence for the third year in a row, earned recognition in every National Program category, and celebrated advisers receiving the Outstanding Adviser and Spirit of Advising awards. The district also welcomed three new state officers—congratulations to all!

🏆 D11 National Qualifiers-29
• Holmes Middle School-10
• Odyssey ECCO-8
• Doherty High School – 5
• Palmer High School – 6

Congratulations to all advisers, students, and supporters who made this experience possible. Huge shout-out to our incredible advisers who guide, mentor, and inspire every step of the way—because when students level up and stay ConneCTEd, it’s thanks to you! ❤️

D11 FCCLA advisers—Karen Gay, Taiyah Mooney, Becky McCully, Kelly Gauck, Rachel Holm, Stephanie Boone, Andrea Aragon, Brittany Hardy, Stephanie Ager, Chris Flemr, Amanda Galvan, and Jonna Sahagun.

Colorado FCCLA needs judges for the State Conference, April 2–3, 2026 at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel.

No experience needed. Free lunch and parking. Come support Colorado’s future leaders! ❤️

🚨 Be Part of the Experience — Judges Needed 🚨

Colorado FCCLA is currently finalizing STAR Event judging assignments for the State Leadership Conference, and we still have several important judging roles that must be filled to fully support all scheduled events.

📅 April 2–3, 2026
📍 Sheraton Downtown Denver Hotel

Our members are preparing to present months of hard work, and complete judging teams are essential to ensuring each student has the opportunity to compete and receive a fair, meaningful evaluation.

If you have availability, your support would make a direct and immediate difference as we work to confirm coverage across all events.

🔗 Sign up to judge: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf6Z5JOSraTi2-WMgg-YVWDWd22rznXVlKKxEiAYNwyDppIaw/viewform?usp=header

Thank you for stepping in to support Colorado FCCLA and the students who make this experience so impactful. ❤️

Despite the 2-hour delay and issues with transportation, D11 students showed up to explore careers in the helping professions. Students engaged with UCCS faculty in education and teaching, health sciences and nursing, psychology, criminal justice, social work and counseling, and more. The day ended with an industry expo where students had the opportunity to meet with professionals in the field to learn more about the profession and how to get started while in high school.

40+ high school Teacher Cadet and Early Childhood Education students connected with mentor teachers at the annual Future Educator mentor meetings. Internships start this week, offering district 11 high school students valuable classroom experience and a deeper understanding of the teaching profession. Shout out to all the mentor teachers and their administrators for welcoming an aspiring teacher into your classrooms and schools this semester. 🍎

Colorado FCCLA Focus on children

Holmes Middle School students, Jonas & Laney taught their FCCLA Lesson on nutrition and Wellness to 2nd graders at Edison and Rogers Elementary Schools. The Colorado Springs School District 11Colorado FCCLAFamily, Career and Community Leaders of America

Always a highlight to witness FCCLA students taking action on their STAR Event projects. Jonas and Laney taught a nutrition and wellness lesson at Rogers Elementary to Ms. Schofield's and Ms. Gonzalez's 2nd-grade classes and at Edison Elementary School to Ms. Hudson's 2nd-grade class. A big thanks to Ms. Ogren from Steele Elementary PTA for recording their lesson so that they can share this information beyond the classroom walls!

Happy National FCCLA Week! Today we celebrate FCCLA alumni. It's fun looking back at the years in FCCLA with some of my former, amazing FCCLA chapter members and advisers. ❤️ From the first national qualifier to the most recent, each time I've taken students to state and national conferences has been rewarding and memorable. Colorado FCCLA Family, Career and Community Leaders of America

Today, the Colorado FCCLA Spanish Peaks District officers, members, and advisers kicked off National FCCLA week at our winter conference. About 200 students participated in roundtable sessions, STAR events, and service projects. Two students also ran for a state officer candidate positions. It was a great day of learning and leading! Thank you to all the advisers, members, round table presenters, and STAR Event judges! This event wouldn’t be possible without you! And a BIG thank you to The Colorado Springs School District 11 for hosting this event! Colorado FCCLADrive Smart Colorado

Happy National CTE month!

Congratulations to The Colorado Springs School District 11 Holmes Middle School Family and Consumer Science teacher, Kelly Gauck, for being named 2025 Colorado Association Teachers of Family and Consumer Sciences (CATFACS) Teacher of the Year! We are so proud of you and fortunate to have you apart of our D11 CTE-FCS family!