Submitted photo Nathaniel Janssen, of New Ulm, attended the FCCLA Capitol Leadership meeting in Washington, D.C. Oct. 10-12.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) members and Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) professionals joined together from across the nation in Washington, D.C. to advocate for FCS education, Career and Technical Education (CTE), and FCCLA at the annual Capitol Leadership meeting, October 10-12, 2022.

Nathaniel Janssen, from New Ulm, attended FCCLA’s Capitol Leadership, where he, alongside his nine elected fellow National Officers and over 150 FCCLA Members, participated in extensive training and learned the importance of advocating for the continuation of congressional support of CTE.

While advocating on Capitol Hill, National Officers had the opportunity to personally meet with Education and Traffic Safety representatives including United States Secretary of Education, Dr. Miguel Cardona; US Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary, Polly Trottenberg; USDA / NIFA National Program Leader for Family and Community Health in the Division of Family and Consumer Sciences, Dr. Ahlishia Shipley; National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Associate Administrator of Research and Program Development, Nanda Srinivasan; and NHTSA Highway Safety Specialist, Enforcement & Justice Services Division, Jacqueline Milani.

During their conversations, National Officers discussed equity, awareness, and working towards benefitting the generations of tomorrow.

Capitol Leadership is the first of three national FCCLA gatherings held annually where members and FCS leaders develop their leadership style, learn real-world skills, and explore Career Pathways. Upcoming conferences include the National Fall Conference in Columbus, OH, November 11-13, 2022, and the National Leadership Conference in Denver, CO, July 2-6, 2023.