Community, church, school occupy busy teen's days

Adam Lammly is definitely on the move. His family just relocated from Ravena to Delmar, leaving their parish of St. Patrick's and joining St. Thomas.

But even though he put aside his ministries as an altar server and lector to make the move, he plans on getting involved at his new parish as soon as he has a chance to settle down.

But, with all he has going on, that may take some time, because he is on the move in another way.

Busy teen

Like most teens his age, the 15-year-old junior at Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk High School has a lot going on in his life.

Besides school, he takes part in many extra-curricular activities, such as playing the saxophone in the school band and being a member of the National Honor Society. He loves sports and plays fullback on his school soccer team. He belongs to a student mediation group called "national helpers." He is also enrolled in the youth group at St. Thomas.

But, as a member of the national student organization known as Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), Adam has already made strides that others his age may not make until they are in college: He was elected national vice president of FCCLA's individual programs by his peers at their 2001 annual meeting in California.

Proud mother

According to Adam's mother, Alice Lammly, election to the national office is one of the highest leadership honors an FCCLA member can achieve. "I am very proud of Adam," she said.

At RCS Middle School, where Mrs. Lammly teaches Family and Consumer Sciences, the number of students involved in the organization totals "around 25, with about 20 in the high school."

"I was initially drawn to this program because it develops leadership skills and confidence in teens, and also fosters positive relationships between students and adults," Mrs. Lammly said.

Life skills

She added that the program also develops necessary life skills in teens, including planning and goal-setting, problem-solving, decision-making and interpersonal communication skills.

"Besides learning all this, our students perform volunteer work within the larger community as well as supporting each other locally and on a state and national level," she said.

"This enables them to reach out and to learn to overcome their tendency to shyness at this age. In the years I have been involved with this program, I have learned that it's very beneficial for them."

Campaign mode

Adam's election by 5,200 of his peers capped off a campaign that began for him a year ago.

"One year before the national meeting, I had to submit a resume to the FCCLA at the state level. I had to show what I had accomplished as a member," he said.

He was also required to give a "three-minute speech and then answer 'fact' and 'situation' questions." For his fact question, Adam chose to discuss how he would convince Benjamin Franklin to join the FCCLA organization.

Involvement

"I have seen many students go through this program," Mrs. Lammly said. "Over the years, they have volunteered to work with many organizations in the Capital District. Last year, our students raised money for the maternal, child and HIV clinic at the Children's Hospital of Albany Medical Center. They also adopted four children that are HIV-positive and their entire families for Christmas gift-giving and sharing. For Easter, they made and distributed candy baskets, food and clothing. The kids loved the idea of helping someone out who is less fortunate than they are." Adam told The Evangelist that he and his peers at RCS are working to increase the number of FCCLA chapters. To that end, they speak at other schools to encourage membership.

Adam will also travel several times during this school year to Virginia to attend planning sessions at the organization's national leadership center. He will also help set policies and develop future goals for the organization. In addition, he and the other officers will represent the organization by leading workshops and giving speeches throughout the country.

(The FCCLA has nearly 220,000 members and approximately 7,500 advisers from all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Since its founding, more than ten million students have participated. It is the only in-school organization with the family as the central focus. For information on FCCLA, call Mrs. Lammly at 756-5299, ext. 728, or visit www.fcclainc.org.)

(10-11-01)