Ladd Soseby walked into the room alone. 

The “Chapter in Review Display” event at the regional FCCLA competition was designed as a two-person presentation. His partner wasn’t available. So, Ladd stood in front of the judges and delivered the whole thing himself. 

He still placed in the top two of the region and advanced to state. 

Then he went home, revamped the entire project, and finished fourth in Georgia. 

“He went from a score of like 72 at region, up to an 87 at state, and was fourth in the state,” said Lynn Booth, Commerce High School’s FCCLA advisor. “So, I was super proud of him!” 

The state competition environment is built to mirror Nationals. Students don’t present in separate classrooms. They stand in a single large room, multiple judging panels arranged just feet apart, other competitors presenting simultaneously all around them. 

Two HireSmart Cares grants helped make the trip possible for Ladd and his classmate Zack Jones. 

The first funded ten official FCCLA blazers at $640 total. Red blazers are the official dress for FCCLA events. The jackets don’t belong to any one student. They stay with the chapter, passed down until they wear out, available to whoever needs them next. 

The second grant covered a hotel room for two nights at $348, making the trip financially accessible regardless of what a family could afford. 

“Not everybody has the professional jackets,” Booth said. “It just gave them that aura, that pride — we really belong to this organization, and we’re stepping up a step in the professionalism aspect.” 

Ladd’s presentation chronicled everything the Commerce High School chapter had done across the year, such as how it met its mission, how it grew, how it worked through FCCLA’s core programs including community service, financial fitness, and the chapter’s wellness walk. 

Zack Jones is an athlete who surprised his teacher with how fully he committed to the program this year.  

“I have been surprised at how much he has gotten involved with FCCLA this year, and it has made a difference in his life,” said Booth. 

Both students also served as their chapter’s voting delegates, sitting through candidate speeches and working through the decision together. 

“I think that’s a very valuable opportunity to learn and to hear the process of voting,” Booth said. “How do you decide who is the best candidate for future leadership?” 

The conference inspired Ladd to run for region officer. He went through the process over the following two weeks. Though he wasn’t selected, he may run again next year. 

“I would love to see him run again and potentially be a region officer his senior year of high school,” she said. 

“The 2026 GA FCCLA SLC provided me with experiences that I will carry with me for the rest of my high school career,” said Ladd. “I had the opportunity to compete in my first STAR event, be a voting delegate, and grow my love for this wonderful organization. Something that really stood out to me was the relationships that the state officer team makes with the members,” he said, adding that he appreciated the support from HireSmart and other community members. “The Commerce High FCCLA chapter wouldn’t be who we are without the help from local partners.”   

To learn more about HireSmart Cares, visit hiresmartcares.org.