Competing against 16 other area schools, SCHS’s FHA-Hero Club walked away with a pile of awards – and full of smiles – at a regional competition held at Millbrae High School in February.

The campus club, which serves students interested in careers in home economics, won four awards as a chapter, and placed in the top three in two individual competitions. Three of the group awards club members won were for their achievements and behavior outside of the competition.

Club members described the regional competition, which is when all the schools in Region 5 meet and compete to develop leadership and career skills, as “very enjoyable, fun yet professional, organized and just having a whole positive vibe.”

“The conference was really fun, and everyone was friendly,” said senior Alexandra Springer, a member of the chapter.

Of the 13 SCHS delegates who attended the conference, two placed in the top three in their competitions, qualifying them to compete at the state level. Senior Benjamin Paredes placed second out of two in Illustrated Talk, where participants give a presentation on consumer science or other related occupations. Senior Ted Kang placed third out of 11 in Menu Planning and Table Setting, where participants plan a menu for a specific theme and set up a unique display.

This year’s theme was “the Great Gatsby”, and Kang had to display a 1920’s or 30’s luxurious and formal dinner setup, as well as think up a menu that fits with the theme. His table displayed gold dishes and gold cups, among other items. His menu included oyster remoulade, gingered salmon with grilled corn and watercress, Manuka honey cheesecake with raspberry, and more.

“I was actually kind of surprised because I didn’t really have time to prepare,” Kang said. “Luckily, I placed third.”

Kang added that he received more points on the menu selection than the table display, and that the menu selection was one of the reasons he received a bronze medal.

As a group, the SCHS chapter won an award for its generosity. There was a Celebrate FHA-Hero week across the state, and on Feb. 12, the theme was “Fulfill the Need Friday.” For its community service project as part of this theme, Region 5 collected care bags for the homeless. SCHS’s FHA-Hero sent out a Facebook post asking for supplies, from canned fruit and beef jerky to toothbrushes and shampoo, and was the biggest donor in Region 5.

Club members also placed first in the chapter competition, “Promote and Publicize,” where they introduced Buchser Middle School’s eighth graders to FHA-Hero and helped their advisor Mrs. Schlink, who was injured and out for a semester, organize a new chapter.

The three that presented the “Promote and Publicize” competition were freshmen Ethan Malonzo and Spencer Lepore, and junior Jesse Rhee.

“I was a little nervous, but once I started competing, it melted away,” Malonzo said.

Malonzo will be presenting again at the state competition, this time with senior Jennifer Ho, the chapter president, and senior Boonevie Valentino. Lepore said that they are working hard in preparation for State, rewriting everything, reshooting the video that is part of the presentation and taking the experience from the regionals to improve.

“We’re taking the critiques to heart,” Lepore said.

And to top it off, the chapter won the Mission I’mpossible Award, given to those who achieved beyond what they thought they could achieve, and the Friendliest Award, given to the chapter with members who Region Officers think are the most open, outgoing and approachable.  

“The fact that they won the Friendliest Award just made me so proud of them,” said Kathy Hopp, culinary arts teacher and club advisor.