HERNDON, Va., — Maddie Mueller, a member of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) at Colbert High School, has been selected as one of 15 semifinalists nationwide. Mueller is being recognized for outstanding leadership, academic excellence, and a strong commitment to service.
As Oklahoma FCCLA State Vice President of Membership, Mueller helped lead a membership increase of more than 2,000 members across the state. Mueller has also served as Colbert Chapter President, Student Council President, and Class President, consistently using leadership roles to strengthen school involvement and community service. National recognition in #TeachFCS and a stated commitment to pursuing Family and Consumer Sciences Education reflect a student leader whose work is already shaping the future of FCCLA and Family and Consumer Sciences education. Mueller’s commitment to leadership and service highlights a strong and well-rounded record of achievement.
The FCCLA Member of the Year Award, presented by the U.S. Army, is the highest recognition an FCCLA Member can achieve. The award honors one exceptional student among FCCLA’s more than 260,000 members who demonstrate outstanding leadership, a commitment to FCCLA’s mission, and the U.S. Army’s core values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage.
The top 15 semifinalists have advancedto the second round of evaluation, withthe top five finalists to be named in Aprilfollowing the interview process. Each ofthe top five finalists will receive a $1,000cash prize, and the national recipientwill receive an additional $2,000, for a total award of $3,000. The top five finalistswill also be announced and recognizedon stage at the 2026 National LeadershipConference in Washington, D.C., wherethe FCCLA Member of the Year will beannounced live during a general session.
Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) is a national Career and Technical Student Organization that prepares students for careers that support the family through Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) education. Since 1945, FCCLA has provided leadership development, workplace readiness, and career preparation opportunities that equip students with the skills needed for success in both life and work. FCCLA is integrated into the classroom, allowing students to apply academic knowledge through real world experiences, including Competitive Events, National Programs, and leadership opportunities at the local, state, and national levels. Guided by dedicated FCS educators, FCCLA Members develop critical thinking, collaboration, and problemsolving skills while exploring career opportunities aligned to the national Career Clusters. With more than 260,000 FCCLA Members in over 5,400 chapters nationwide, FCCLA continues to build the next generation of leaders who are prepared to make a lasting impact in their families, careers, and communities.
The U.S. Army, the oldest and largest branch of the U.S. military, is a force dedicated to serving the American people, protecting national security, and supporting peace and stability worldwide. With more than one million Soldiers across Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard components, the Army stands ready to defend the United States and its allies through landbased operations. Guided by core values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage, the Army continually adapts to face evolving global challenges, providing innovative training, education, and opportunities for personal and professional growth. For more information about the U.S. Army, visit www.army.mil.
