LPS CTSO STUDENTS EXCEL AT STATE AND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES; AHS student earns 2nd place at DECA International Competition

Contributed by Anna Ziverts, Littleton Public Schools Communications Support Specialist

Dedicated to postsecondary workforce readiness, Littleton Public Schools has a robust Career and Technical Education (CTE) program that supports a variety of nationally recognized Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs). These organizations give students an opportunity to explore real-world career paths while building leadership skills in a competitive environment. In recent weeks, LPS students attended, and excelled, at a variety of state and international conferences dedicated to career and technical education. 

ACE – The ACE Student Leadership Conference, (SC) ² included competitive events, keynote speakers and workshops for attendees. The (SC) ² conference is an event that provides professional development and recognition opportunities for your students. Students in ACE programs from all over the state participate.

• Options High School had nine students attended the (SC) ²  conference. Seven students earned a gold certificate in their specific event. Two of these students received special recognition for their performance in Customer Service – they were awarded a medal as the highest scoring participants and received a vote for “employee of the day.”
• Arapahoe High School had six students participate at the (SC) ² conference. Four students won gold medals and 2 students won silver medals.

FCCLA – Littleton students from Heritage High School and the Ames Early Childhood Education program, Teacher Cadet and Fashion Design recently participated at the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) State Leadership Conference April 13-15. More than 1,100 students, advisors and guests attended this year’s conference.

• Heritage High School had two students participate at the Leadership Conference. One student won a gold medal in cake design and the other student won a gold medal and qualified for the FCCLA National Competition in Recycle and Redesign.
• LPS’ Early Childhood and Teacher Cadet program had six students compete at the Leadership Conference. One Teacher Cadet student won a gold medal in the Teach and Train Event and qualified for nationals. The other five students all received a silver medal in their respective events.
• LPS’s Fashion Design program had seven students compete at the Leadership Conference. One student won a 1^st place medal, qualified for nationals and received a $3000 scholarship from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM). Another student received a gold medal in a state event, and five students received a silver medal in their various Fashion Design and Merchandising events.

FBLA – Students from Arapahoe High School, Heritage High School and Littleton High School competed at the state FBLA conference in Vail April 19-21. National qualifiers will attend the national FBLA Conference this summer in Anaheim, CA.

• Arapahoe High School had 52 students participate at the state conference. Seven students placed in the top five in the state for their event and five students qualified for the national FBLA conference.
• Heritage High School had 15 students participate at the state conference. One student team placed in the top five in the state for their event.
• Littleton High School had 19 students participate at the state conference. Nine students placed in the top five in the state for their event and seven qualified for the national FBLA conference.

DECA International Conference – Thirteen students from Arapahoe High School and 3 students from Heritage High School recently attended the International DECA Conference in Anaheim, CA. Among 210,000 students competing for international awards as emerging leaders and entrepreneurs, Ellie Broady of Arapahoe placed 2^nd overall for Principles of Marketing.

LPS Career and Technical Education Coordinator Mimi Leonard was delighted with the success of these students. Leonard emphasizes the district’s dedication to preparing students for postsecondary careers and the importance of these organizations in teaching students valuable leadership skills.

Pictured: Arapahoe High School’s Ellie Broady won 2^nd place for Principals of Marketing at the 2017 International DECA Conference