Redwater, Texas (July 31, 2026) – Recent Redwater High School graduate Anna Fryar of the Redwater High School Chapter of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) earned the highest national honor by capturing 1st Place in the Nation in the Early Childhood Education STAR Event at the 2026 FCCLA National Leadership Conference, held July 6–10 in Washington, D.C. This marks Anna's second FCCLA National Championship during her high school career, an extraordinary accomplishment that reflects years of dedication to Family and Consumer Sciences education and leadership.

 

After advancing through regional and state competition, Anna Fryar competed in Early Childhood Education, Level 3, where she was named the National Champion, earning 1st Place among the nation's top competitors. The event challenged participants to demonstrate their knowledge of child development by designing and presenting developmentally appropriate learning experiences while showcasing their ability to effectively teach and engage young children.

STAR Events, which stands for Students Taking Action with Recognition, provide FCCLA members the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills gained through Family and Consumer Sciences education to authentic projects, presentations, and career-focused challenges. Only the highest-performing students from each state earn the opportunity to compete on the national stage, making a national championship one of FCCLA's most prestigious honors.

 

"Winning this national title means so much to me," Anna Fryar said. "I spent the past year perfecting this project, and seeing that hard work payoff is highly rewarding.”

 

Throughout her four years at Redwater High School, Anna gained valuable hands-on teaching experience through the support of Redwater Elementary School, whose administrators and teachers welcomed her into their classrooms as part of the Family and Consumer Sciences Education and Training program. During her senior Capstone course, Anna worked alongside mentor teacher Mrs. Kristen Bryan in her second-grade classroom, where she shadowed instruction, developed and taught multiple classroom lessons, and compiled a professional teaching portfolio documenting her growth and experiences. At the National Leadership Conference, Anna presented her portfolio before demonstrating her teaching abilities by responding to an impromptu classroom scenario. Given just 20 minutes to prepare, she designed a developmentally appropriate lesson using materials from her teacher toolbox and delivered the lesson to a panel of judges, ultimately earning 1st Place in the Nation. In the fall, Anna plans to attend Stephen F. Austin State University where she will be majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders.

 

"Anna's second national championship is the result of four years of dedication, perseverance, and a genuine passion for teaching," Jessica Davis, FCCLA Adviser at Redwater High School, said. "It has been amazing to watch her confidence, leadership, and teaching abilities grow throughout her high school career. We couldn't be more proud of everything she has accomplished."

 

The Redwater High School FCCLA Chapter joined hundreds of delegates from Texas and more than 10,000 FCCLA Members, Advisers, and guests from across the nation, Puerto Rico, and American Samoa at the conference. Anna Fryar’s national championship brought home one of FCCLA's highest competitive honors and represents an extraordinary accomplishment for Redwater ISD, the local community, and the state of Texas.

 

The FCCLA National Leadership Conference brings students and educators together for Competitive Events, leadership development, career exploration, educational workshops, and national recognition. The 2026 conference was especially historic as it was held in Washington, D.C., during the America 250 celebrations.

 

"Hosting the 2026 National Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., during the America 250 celebrations created a powerful and historic opportunity for FCCLA Members," said Sandy Spavone, CEO of FCCLA. "These students are building the skills, confidence, and connections to make an impact in their schools, careers, families, communities, and country right now."