2010 - Jamie Land
It is with great pleasure to introduce Jamie Land. Jamie would go to various local and district meetings tagging along with mom when she was an elementary school student. She kept asking mom, "When can I become a member?" In 7th grade she became a member and started competing in STAR Events. For four years she competed in STAR Events at the local, district, state, and national meetings.
Jamie served on many committees at the local and district level and held many offices such as president, secretary, and treasurer. She became a state officer to serve on the executive board in NYS as secretary. After graduating from high school, Jamie joined the alumni of FCCLA. Jamie attended Medaille College in Buffalo training to become a veterinarian assistant. She went back for her bachelors to become the first student to graduate in the 4 year program in 3.5 years. During this time she helped guide many members at the local and district levels with their STAR Events and personal growth and continues to do so.
Still wanting to do more, she became the assistant trainer for the Junior Leaders and the following year the trainer. The leadership skills, public speaking, character development, critical thinking, communication and many roles that Jamie has held thru FHA/FCCLA have definitely served her well to develop skills for her life no matter what she does.
2009 - Hannah Babel
Hannah Babel is truly a dedicated alumnus who has given meaningful service to New York State FCCLA the past four years.
She graduated from General Brown High School in 2005. She was a member of the General Brown FCCLA Chapter for six years holding various chapter and district offices and serving on numerous committees. Hannah was the Secretary of the 2004 State Executive Council as well as a Junior Leader.
Hannah will graduate in June of this year from SUNY Oneonta with a degree in Family and Consumer Science Education. While attending college, she also served on the NYS FCCLA Board of Trustees as the college student representative, District Representative Trainer at Summer Leadership and she is the present Jr. Leader Trainer. She is a dance instructor at her Mother's Dance Studio and works in a floral shop.
We are proud to present this year's Alumni Achievement Award to a very deserving person, Hannah Babel.
2008 - Esther Pezzino
Esther Pezzino has been affiliated with FCCLA, then known as FHA, since her high school days. After college she worked for Consumer Homemaking, a federal program in the '70's which she also worked with the WIC (Woman, Infants and Children) program through them. Esther then worked for the Buffalo Board of Education followed by starting work with the Erie County BOCES in the early 1980's. She had a HERO chapter in which she gave the opportunities for students to meet other students at the District, State and National levels. Esther was a tactful and patient advisor who worked with students who had a variety of skills and abilities. She has always quietly volunteered to help behind the scenes. She still helps out with Cluster Meetings in Buffalo even though she has retired. Esther has made many contributions to the NYS FCCLA as a District advisor for many years for District 10A and a state officer trainer. She was the first recipient of the "Spirit of Advisor" Award from New York State. Esther Pezzino is a role model for all FCCLA members and advisors and she deserves the year's Alumni Achievement Award as an outstanding alumnus.
2007 - Ross Mosher
Ross Mosher, Class of 1998, Berlin high School and 1997-98 New York State Voting Delegate knew what he wanted to do for a career after attending the 1997 National FHA Leadership meeting in San Diego, California. He just didn't know what to call what he wanted to do. It's pretty hard to apply to colleges with an "unknown major" so Ross received his Associate Degree from Hesser College in Manchester New Hampshire. He graduated top of his TV Radio and Broadcasting major.
In the 7 years since graduating from Hesser, Ross realized that what he wanted to do was marketing... not selling, but the bigger picture. Ross has visited 48 states, Japan and Australia, and carried the Olympic torch in 2002, all while working for various marketing companies touring for products all while working for various marketing companies touring for products including Coca Cola, Harley Davidson, the Indy Racing League, Red Baron Pizza, etc. using the experiences he received through FHA (FCCLA). Organizational skills, problem solving and public speaking are just a few examples. Currently Ross is employed by Gigunda Group, an experiential marketing services agency in Manchester NH.