If someone were looking for a way to best describe Meadow High School student Bethany Flores’ time in FCCLA, it might be the old song I’ve Been Everywhere.

Flores, a junior at MHS and the daughter of Albert and Maria Flores, was elected last year as the State Recording Secretary for FCCLA, formerly known as Future Homemakers of America. FCCLA focuses on student community service, career development and family relationships.

According to Meadow FCCLA sponsor Lindsey Roe, Flores was first elected as the Regional Recording Secretary at the Regional meeting in Odessa last year. She was interviewed at the Regional Meeting as a potential State candidate for the same position and was eventually selected by a panel to serve at the state level.

“When she was elected as a state officer she traveled to several different places,” Roe said. “She went to the State Meeting in Houston last April. Then, in June, she went to a leadership camp in East Texas. She also represented Texas at the National Meeting in California, and was also recognized as a state officer at the State Fair in Dallas. This year she will be recognized at halftime of a Spurs game in San Antonio and will attend the State Meeting in Dallas in April.”

Flores has also served in workshops at both Lubbock Cooper and Anton High Schools.

Roe added that Flores, the President of the MHS chapter, will be running for State Recording Secretary again at the Regional Meeting this weekend in Lubbock at the Lubbock Civic Center and Holiday Inn.

Flores said she was interested in joining FCCLA even before she was eligible as a freshman.

“When I was growing up a lot of the older kids were in it and I always wanted to do it too,” she said. “It’s just a wonderful organization that helps you with your communication and leadership skills. We’re the future generation and that’s what FCCLA focuses on is leadership skills.”

Flores said that she enjoys the interaction with the other state officers.

“We all come from different backgrounds. I’m from Meadow, but some of the students come from large 5A schools. I enjoy spending time with them and getting to know them better.”

Flores, who hopes to be a surgeon when she gets out of school, said FCCLA has already provided and will continue to provide valuable assistant in reaching her goals.

“There are a lot of programs that help us get ready for the future and they have scholarships and things like that,” she said. “I think FCCLA will be a big help in attaining my goals.”