Nationals, here I come!

My name is Mateo Ascencio Silvan and I am a junior who attends George Wythe High School. This is year three for me being a member of the largest student led organization with family as it's focus, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, also known as FCCLA. On Friday,  April 5, 2019, I competed in Virginia State FCCLA STAR Events in the Fashion Design category and placed Silver. Though my project did not place gold, the judges loved my garments, presentation, and professionalism so much that I am able to advance and compete on the national level. On June 29, 2019 I will be traveling to the FCCLA  2019 National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, California. My school district is covering the major costs. However, I will still have expenses that will still need to be covered. 
                 During this week long conference, I am also planning to tour the school I wish to attend, The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) in Irvine, California. Thanks to the VA FCCLA state Conference, as a reward for placing silver in my STAR Event category, I received $750 from three different schools, including the one I would like to attend, FIDM. Words cannot express how much attending this National Conference means to me. I am very grateful to have teachers and FCCLA advisors to push me and assist me with creating a plan for my brand and helping me to practice exercising my professionalism. Receiving these funds will really help me to reach my current professional goal of attending and competing at this National Leadership Conference.  I'm still in shock that I made it this far and surprised that in 2019, I will be taking my first flight ever! Again, sending a huge Thank you to my FCCLA advisors, Ms. Hines, Ms. Gardner, and Ms. Harrell. Thank you to the VA FCCLA Affiliation and RPS for this amazing opportunity and thank you in advance to everyone kind enough to donate.