Rochester, MN — Rochester Public Schools is incredibly proud to announce the historic success of the John Marshall High School chapter of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) at the National Leadership Conference and National Competitive Events in Washington, D.C. Competing against more than 10,000 students from across the country in 154 distinct categories, John Marshall students brought home elite honors, including a first-place national title.
Leading the charge for Rochester was Natalie Blanchette, who earned First Place in the Nation for her exceptional project in the Nutrition and Wellness category.
"Only once in my nearly 15 years of advising have I coached a first-place national winner," said the John Marshall FCCLA Chapter Advisor. "It is an immense feat. Last year, our chapter celebrated second- and fifth-place finishes, but taking home the top award this year—and doing so in only our third year as an active chapter—is a testament to these students' incredible work ethic and dedication."
Beyond the national championship, the ten competing John Marshall students demonstrated a high standard of excellence, collectively securing three gold, six silver, and one bronze medals.
The innovative, community-focused projects spanned a wide array of career-oriented fields, including:
Hospitality and Tourism: Ruby Truong and Waithira Mbuthia designed a comprehensive Destination Marketing Organization tailored to the Mayo Clinic. The project was so impressive that a grant-writer serving as a state-level judge expressed immediate interest in pursuing funding to bring their vision to life.
Public Policy Advocacy: Students tackled pressing local issues, including an in-depth presentation on the challenges surrounding homelessness within the Rochester community.
"Our students are not just competing; they are actively solving real-world problems and highlighting issues that hit close to home," the advisor added.
The individual students who represented John Marshall High School on the national stage include:
Natalie Blanchette – Nutrition and Wellness (First Place National Winner / Gold)
Ruby Truong & Waithira Mbuthia – Hospitality and Tourism
Arsiema Feliche – Career Investigation
Tam Luu – Job Interview
Aya Yusur – Public Policy
Emily Kerubo – Chapter Service Project
Evan Gross – Public Policy Advocate
Lugman Khamis – Entrepreneurship
Ella Pham – Chapter in Review Portfolio
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