ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, VA (Rocktown Now) — Rockingham County Public Schools students returned from the 2026 Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) National Leadership Conference with multiple national awards, earning top placements, gold medals, and silver medals while competing against students from across the country.

The conference was held July 6–10 in Washington, D.C., and featured thousands of students showcasing their leadership, career readiness, communication, service, and technical skills through a variety of competitive events.

Students from Elkton Middle School, East Rockingham High School, Spotswood High School, Turner Ashby High School, and Wilbur Pence Middle School represented Rockingham County Public Schools at the national competition.

Among the district’s highest achievements:

  • Jacob Myers of Elkton Middle School earned a Gold Medal and placed second in the nation in RED Talks on Education.
  • Jaelyn Moneymaker of East Rockingham High School received a Gold Medal and placed second nationally in AI for Impact (Level 3).
  • Ezama Harris and Leila Thyson of Turner Ashby High School earned a Gold Medal and finished seventh in the nation in Professional Presentation.
  • Berea Lam of Wilbur Pence Middle School received a Gold Medal and placed ninth nationally in Repurpose and Redesign.
  • Collins Dearing, Sophia Good, and Elizabeth Manley of Elkton Middle School earned a Gold Medal and were recognized as Top 10 finalists in Sports Nutrition.

Several additional RCPS students earned gold and silver medals during the national competition:

Elkton Middle School
  • Barbara Ballen and Faithlynn Troutman: Entrepreneurship – Silver Medal
  • Kailyn Mawyer: Professional Presentation – Silver Medal
East Rockingham High School
  • Ariana Stroop represented RCPS and Virginia as a Virginia State FCCLA Officer while competing in RED Talks for Education (Level 3).
  • Hayden Paulette, Alessa Hensley, and Addyson Saum – Chapter Service Project Display (Level 3) – Gold Medal
Spotswood High School
  • Matthew Hulvey and Nathaniel Uribe: Sustainability Challenge – Gold Medal
Turner Ashby High School

Emma Light served on the Nominating Committee and as the 9th Voting Delegate during the conference.

Morgan Trout and Layla Leap: Hospitality, Tourism and Recreation – Gold Medal

Kaylee Barr and Callie Pence: Interior Design – Gold Medal

Maggie Cullers and Brynna Michael-Lee: Professional Presentation – Silver Medal

FCCLA is a national Career and Technical Student Organization that prepares students for careers in family and consumer sciences, education, hospitality, human services, business, and related fields while developing leadership and workplace skills. The annual National Leadership Conference brings together students from across the United States to compete, network, and demonstrate their abilities in a wide range of career-focused events.