Seniors Kennedy Brown and Ashtyn Phillips placed first in National Programs in Action at the FCCLA state competition, April 12-13 in Corpus Christi.

“When we found out we won first, we just looked at each other and our jaws dropped and we raced to the first place stage,” Phillips said. “It was really exciting.”

For their project, Phillips and Brown educated people about homelessness, volunteered with the mobile food pantry, as well as donated canned goods and care packages for the homeless.

“When we volunteered at the mobile food pantry, this lady gave me a hug and told me about how happy she was to see young people volunteering and giving back,” Phillips said. “That made me feel really good.”

The two will compete at FCCLA Nationals July 6-10 in San Antonio.

“I’m just super excited because I feel like I’ve worked toward this for the past three years and I’m finally getting it,” Brown said. “I’m looking forward to meeting all of the awesome people at nationals.”