SPANISH FORT, Ala. — Spanish Fort High School’s Aren Valrie placed third nationally in one of 28 categories judged at Family, Career and Community Leaders of America’s 2011 National Leadership Conference.

Valrie, a junior, competed in the applied technology category of the Students Taking Action with Recognition, or STAR, events, and was presented her bronze medal July 14 in Anaheim, Calif.

Joni Ojard, director of SFHS’s family and consumer sciences department, said Valrie’s project attracted the judges’ attention because she used her skills to develop a technology-based project that integrated and applied content from academic subjects.

“Aren’s project was an anti-bullying program which she researched and presented to multiple classes at Spanish Fort High School and to FCCLA chapter members across Baldwin County, encouraging students to sign an anti-bullying pledge,” Ojard said.

The national conference attracted more than 6,300 members, advisers, alumni and guests, including SFHS’s entourage of Valrie, Ojard, Dawn Nelson and Grace Eagleson. Some 100 students from across Alabama participated in the five-day event.

Nelson represented Alabama at the national conference as state officer, while Eagleson is president of the association’s SFHS chapter and served as a voting delegate during the summit.

Ojard explained that association members work throughout the year tackling issues like teen violence prevention, traffic safety, family issues and career exploration, to name a few.

“FCCLA programs and competitions enrich student learning, improve self-esteem, and serve students with a range of ability levels, economic situations and cultural differences,” said Ojard, who started the Spanish Fort’s first family and consumer sciences program at Spanish Fort Middle School 12 years ago before joining the new SFHS four years ago.

The national nonprofit bills itself as an organization devoted to “preparing family and consumer sciences students for leadership and future career opportunities.”

According to the national organization’s official website, FCCLA’s mission is to help members “develop skills for life through character development; creative and critical thinking; interpersonal communications; practical knowledge; and career preparation” by “focusing on the multiple roles of family member, wage earner and community leader.”

The competitive STAR events are designed to recognize FCCLA members for proficiency and achievement in both chapter and individual projects, leadership skills and career-preparation efforts.

State adviser Jennifer Adams said the 2011 theme was “Imagination in Action,” and some 60 students statewide competed in STAR competitions in California.

“Our students and teachers work hard to make our programs some of the best in the nation,” Adams said.

Nationally, the program serves more than 220,000 high school, college and professional members.