Planning a STAR Event can seem stressful and hard, but in reality it’s not. So many members have competed in STAR Events and I hope that many more will decide to compete this year as well. To help with the first time jitters or if you’re a pro and just want to make sure you’ve got it all down, I have come up with 3 simple steps to help your STAR Event come alive!
Getting Started
The first and hardest step is getting started. Selecting the perfect STAR Event can be hard and overwhelming if it is your first time. A tip to make the process easier would be to focus on what you enjoy doing rather than the event itself. If you know you want to do a STAR Event then you should talk to your adviser about the events available for your level and capabilities. Once you and your adviser have thinned out the options, you can select the event that you enjoy doing the most. Some people love to bake, meaning culinary arts or baking and pastry would be a great event for them. Others are better with students meaning Teach or Train or Focus on Children would be the best for them. Getting started is the hardest part for any event but as long as you remember to focus on what you enjoy, you’ll find the perfect event for you.
Planning
The second step to planning a STAR Event is reviewing the guidelines. After you have selected the best event for you, looking over the guidelines and rubric will help you prepare for the event. After reviewing everything, you’re ready to get started with the plan. The planning process is a 5 step, simple way of planning out your chosen star event. The planning process is a great source for first time competitors and is required to be utilized in all STAR Events. The steps include: Identifying a Concern, Setting a Goal, Forming a Plan, Taking Action, and finally Following up on your work. Your adviser and chapter members that have competed would be helpful resources to ask about the planning process or getting started in general.
Put it into action
The final step of planning a STAR Event actually has nothing to do with planning. You’ve already planned it, now it’s time to follow through with the plan and actually do it. Hold yourself accountable and stay on schedule. As teenagers, procrastination is a huge set back on most of our plans. It is important to stay focused and keep working toward your set goal. Holding yourself accountable is a big step in doing your STAR Event. If you struggle with holding yourself accountable, you should ask a friend, parent, or adviser to help you stay on schedule and hold you accountable for your plans.
Missouri FCCLA, I hope that you challenge yourself and step outside of your comfort zone this year while competing in your STAR Events. I wish everyone the best on getting started and can’t wait to see everyone’s projects at State Leadership Conference in March! Just a reminder if you have any questions feel free to reach out to me!
Damara Hood
V.P. of Competitive Events
