Five Nansemond River High School students and recent graduates came home with medals when they traveled to Texas last week for the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America 2014 National Leadership Conference.

At the event in San Antonio, Courtney Matthews, Lauren Snow, Alexandria Beaman, Haley Maxwell and Aliz Kemp competed in the STAR (Students Taking Action with Recognition) event competitions, according to Sally Karadeema, Nansemond River’s co-FCCLA advisor.

More than 4,200 students competed in over 30 events, such as culinary arts, knowledge bowl, career investigation and fashion construction, Karadeema stated in a news release.

“This is the largest number of competitors at any national STAR events competition,” Karadeema stated.

Competing in the entrepreneurship event, Matthews and Snow, both juniors, focused on creating a cupcake business, earning silver medals.

Beaman, a sophomore, competed in the recycle-redesign event. She made pet beds, a vest, mittens and two handbags from recycled wool sweaters and jackets. “She also won a silver medal for her efforts,” Karadeema stated.

Recently graduated seniors Maxwell and Kemp competed in the new event of sports nutrition. They developed a “balanced, healthy meal and hydration plan” for volleyball player Tatyana Thomas, and earned bronze medals, according to Karadeema.

Karadeema is proud of her students. “Not only did they succeed in competitions, but they were present to receive the 2013 National Student Body Runner-Up Award, receiving a check for $500 and a trophy,” she wrote in an email.

Karadeema also attended the event, with FCCLA co-advisor Deborah Creekmur and chaperone David Karadeema.

FCCLA is a national student organization designed to develop leaders and address personal, family, work and societal issues through family and consumer sciences education.

It has 200,000 members and more than 5,500 chapters from 49 state associations, Puerto Rico and the Virginia Islands.