By LYNETTE HAALAND
Four Points News

Two Vandegrift students grabbed top honors in the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America Interior Design category at the national conference recently. Connor Hathaway earned 1st place and Jenna Rigney earned 2nd place at the FCCLA National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, Calif. a month ago. 

“They love it and I love it. It’s really, really great and I feel really, really proud,” said Jodi Jacobsen, FCCLA advisor and VHS interior design teacher. Rigney will be in her practicum of interior design when school begins and Hathaway will be in Jacobsen’s interior design 2 class.

With the national wins, both incoming VHS seniors were offered full rides to Sullivan University’s College of Technology & Design in Louisville, Ky. It’s yet to be determined if they accept the generous offers.

“This is incredible,” Jacobsen said. “The students are getting so much out of the program.”

Seven Viper students made up six teams who went to nationals because of their high placements at the state competition in April. 

In addition to Rigney and Hathaway, Hannah Eslick, Rowena Jayamanne and Saige Prucha were also competing in the interior design category. Skylar Joseph competed in teach and train and Marissa Gilbert in fashion design.

In late January, 27 VHS students went to regionals with 14 teams that “all placed at regionals,” Jacobson said.

There are other FCCLA categories to compete in including nutrition, culinary and focus on children.

Students compete in a judging room at a specific time to showcase their projects. They give a speech and present their projects in their designated category.

“I’m extremely proud,” said Jacobsen, who was in practice for eight years after college and now is teaching. “I come from industry, this is a new career for me. It’s very rewarding.”