Member Awards

FCCLA Member of the Year Award, Presented by U.S. Army

The FCCLA Member of the Year Award, presented by the U.S. Army, is the highest recognition an FCCLA Member can achieve. This award honors one exceptional student among FCCLA’s more than 240,000 members who demonstrates outstanding leadership, a commitment to FCCLA’s mission, and the U.S. Army’s core values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage.

This award shines a spotlight on a member whose actions embody the very best of FCCLA, showcasing their ability to lead with purpose, serve with dedication, and inspire meaningful change. Whether through innovative projects, impactful service initiatives, or exceptional mentorship, the recipient of this award goes beyond personal success to leave a lasting legacy within their chapter, school, and community.

The FCCLA Member of the Year is a role model for peers and a representation of the bright future FCCLA cultivates for students across the nation. Their unwavering commitment to excellence, leadership, and service exemplifies the values that guide FCCLA and set the standard for others to follow.

This award not only celebrates the recipient’s accomplishments but also underscores the collective impact of FCCLA Members in creating stronger families, careers, and communities. It serves as an annual reminder of the power of youth leadership and the difference one individual can make.

Deadline:

Applications must be submitted through the online application form on the FCCLA Website by Friday, February 21, 2025, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Late submissions will not be accepted under any circumstances.

Eligibility:

• FCCLA MEMBERSHIP: Applicants must be nationally affiliated FCCLA Members for the 2024-2025 school year.
• ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS: To ensure fairness in applications, the following FCCLA Members are not eligible to apply.
  • FCCLA Members currently serving on the FCCLA Board of Directors
  • FCCLA Members currently serving on the Competitive Events Advisory Team
  • FCCLA Members who are currently, or who have previously served as a National Officer. (If a student was previously a national officer candidate, but was not elected to office, they are eligible to apply.)
  • FCCLA Members who will/are/or intend to be a National Officer Candidate for the 2024-2025 year.
• OFFICER POSITION: Applicants are not required to have held an FCCLA officer position (at any level) to be eligible for this award.

Selection Process:

All submitted applications will be evaluated using the rubric outlined in the Guidelines resource. Based on this review, the top 15 semi-finalists will be announced publicly and invited to participate in a semi-finalist interview. These interviews will provide an opportunity to expand on their applications and allow evaluators to ask additional questions. Following the interviews, the top five finalists will be announced publicly and recognized on stage at the National Leadership Conference. During a general session at the conference, the FCCLA Member of the Year will be announced live.

Awards and Recognition:

• Top 5 Finalists: Each finalist receives a $1,000 cash prize and national recognition.
• FCCLA Member of the Year: One finalist is selected as the FCCLA Member of the Year and receives an additional $2,000, totaling $3,000 in prize money.

REQUIREMENTS:

• SEMI-FINALIST INTERVIEW: Should applicants advance to the top 15, they must be available for the two (2) designated interview dates outlined in the Important Dates section of the Guidelines (March 19 and March 20, 2025). FCCLA will provide each semi-finalist with their specific interview date and time; all interviews will occur between 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM Eastern Time on the two dates listed. Under no circumstances may a candidate request a specific date or time, nor request an alternative interview date.
• NATIONAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE: Applicants must intend to attend the 2025 National Leadership Conference in Orlando, FL. Attendance is required if selected as one of the top five finalists, as the Member of the Year will be announced live on stage during a general session. FCCLA does not cover any costs associated with traveling to or attending the conference. Finalists are responsible for their travel and accommodation expenses.

Guidelines and Rubric:

The official Award Guidelines document provides detailed information about the application process, eligibility requirements, and evaluation criteria. Please review the document thoroughly before applying. For questions, contact kmason@fcclainc.org.

RESOURCE:

2024-2025 Member of the Year Guidelines and Rubric

• FCCLA Member of the Year Application Form

  Important Notice:
  Please note that the application form must be completed in one sitting, as it cannot be saved and returned to later. To ensure a smooth submission process, prepare all required information and responses in advance. Applicants are encouraged to save their responses in a separate Word document before beginning the application form.