Montesano High School student Elaina Diaz has been selected to be president of the state Family, Career and Community Leaders of America organization.

“I’m very excited and I’m very honored to be chosen for this position,” Diaz said. “And I’m so excited to serve the state of Washington.”

FCCLA’s mission is to promote personal growth and leadership development through family and consumer sciences education.

As state FCCLA president, Diaz will “preside over all the state executive council’s business meeting and I will also be serving on the board of directors,” she said.

One of her goals as president is to help facilitate communications between the state officers to help them grow and bond.

“I will help the other state officers get their ideas out and complete their goals,” she said. Last year, Diaz was the regional vice president.

A part of FCCLA’s purpose is to “encourage democracy through cooperative action in the home and community.”

To this end, Diaz created Bulldogs Care, which won first place in FCCLA’s state Students Taking Action with Recognition (STAR) Events competition. Bulldogs Care challenges students to tackle bullying. She worked with kids in grades 5 through 8 to promote kindness through a kindness challenge. There were assemblies and mentors. She provided the kindness challenge, tabulated the results and gave recognition for the students who completed the activities. Soon, the program will expand into third and fourth grades. Bulldogs Care and Diaz will compete in FCCLA’s national competition in Anaheim, California, this summer. Diaz is a junior and has been active in Drama Club, track, volleyball and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

“I served as the relay for life captain for the school and am the Junior Class president,” she added. “I’m always really involved in Food Bowl and other projects throughout the year.”

Diaz wouldn’t have become FCCLA state president without help from her advisor.

“I’m also very grateful for my advisor, Mrs. (Lori) Bialkowsky,” Diaz said. “If she wasn’t willing to have a state president, I wouldn’t have the position I have. She has helped me through the past year so much to grow as a leader and be more confident in my leadership abilities. I am so grateful for her. She has done so much for me.”