WHARTON — Two Wharton High School students will soon represent both their school and community on the national stage after receiving financial support from the CenterPoint Energy Foundation.
Junior Alycia Henderson and sophomore Avery Stavena are set to compete at the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) National Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., July 5-11. According to Wharton ISD, they are the first students in district history to advance to the national competition.
The pair earned their spot after taking first place in the Repurpose and Redesign category at the Texas FCCLA State Leadership Conference in Dallas earlier this year. Their project centers on handmade Christmas ornaments created from recycled materials, a project that has already earned top honors at both the regional and state levels.
Reaching nationals came with a significant price tag. Henderson and Stavena needed about $10,000 to cover travel, lodging, registration fees and other expenses associated with the week-long event. After months of fundraising, they had collected about $4,000 but still faced a sizable shortfall.
That changed when the CenterPoint Energy Foundation awarded a $6,000 grant, providing the remaining funds needed to make the trip possible.
In a recent social media post, CenterPoint Energy said the grant will help the students represent Wharton County at the national competition while supporting their educational and leadership development.
While in Washington, D.C., Henderson and Stavena will compete against students from across the country and participate in leadership seminars focused on topics such as networking, interviewing skills and career readiness. The conference also gives students opportunities to connect with peers from other states and explore future educational and career paths.
The trip comes during a historic year for the nation as Washington prepares to host events celebrating America’s 250th birthday, giving attendees additional opportunities to experience the capital.
CenterPoint’s support extended beyond education. The company also announced community safety grants for local first responders, including funding for protective vests for the Wharton County Volunteer Fire Department and a portable ultrasound machine for Wharton County EMS.
For Henderson and Stavena, the trip marks the culmination of months of work and fundraising, as well as a chance to showcase their project and represent Wharton on one of the biggest stages FCCLA has to offer.