Sophomore makes most of post
If there is a 15-year-old who knows what it means to be conscientious, dedicated and willing to travel frequently, it would have to be Jackie Cadle of Martinez.
As state secretary of the Family Career and Community Leaders of America, Jackie must attend executive council meetings throughout the year, give presentations at local chapter meetings, keep minutes of council meetings and keep a watchful eye on reports.
"I became involved in FCCLA because of my older sister, Brooke," said Jackie, who also served on the state FCCLA board while an eighth-grader at Riverside Middle School. "Brooke was a state officer also."
Jackie is drawn to FCCLA by what she says is its ability to prepare students for life after high school.
"If you talk to Brooke, I think she'd tell you that FCCLA has definitely prepared her for life after high school," Jackie said. "You can tell that she's learned so much and reaped some of the benefits that most of our members do."
Jackie Cadle, 15, a sophomore at Lakeside High School, serves as state secretary/treasurer of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
FCCLA, formerly the Future Homemakers of America, operates on the premise of helping students develop leadership skills, personality and character that will be useful after graduation.
"Jackie is one of those amazing students who always goes the second mile in whatever she does," said Sandi Taylor, FCCLA adviser at Lakeside High School where Jackie is a sophomore. "She is full of energy and enthusiasm."
An A/B honor student and member of the Lakeside High volleyball team, Jackie said most of her time is devoted to FCCLA activities.
"In middle school, I was in a lot of clubs, but I can't seem to find the balance between other activities and FCCLA now that I'm in high school," she said. "I do love reading, though. Over the winter holidays I read a series of five books."
"Jackie is a very positive, energetic and enthusiastic young lady," said Charla Allen, executive director of the Georgia FCCLA, based in Blakely. "We are very fortunate to have her."
Allen said it is nice to see students rotate through the organization from middle school to high school.
"It's neat to see students come back," she said. "They have a leadership role in middle school and now have a leadership role in high school."
Jackie's dedication to FCCLA is evident to all who know her.
"Any time a student decides to take on a state office, she's got something extra," Allen said. "Jackie has initiative and is very dependable."
Taylor echoes the sentiment.
"It is a wonderful experience to be the adviser and teacher of such a terrific student," she said. "She's a very active young lady, and I do emphasize young lady."
The daughter of Joe and Nancye Cadle of Martinez, Jackie participated in the FCCLA Knowledge Bowl last fall and attended the national FCCLA meeting in Philadelphia last summer.
Jackie also has participated in numerous Lakeside High FCCLA chapter events during the past year. Among them were a breast cancer awareness walk, food drive for Golden Harvest Food Bank and blood drive for the Shepeard Community Blood Center.
"I can always count on Jackie to do what she says she will do and with a positive attitude," Allen said.