Fayette High School junior Landon Ploof has qualified for the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) National Leadership Conference, which will be held this summer in Washington, D.C.

Ploof earned his spot at the national level by being named State Champion and placing first in the Interpersonal Communications STAR Event at the Missouri FCCLA State Leadership Conference, held in Springfield in March.

His project, titled Finding Common Ground, focuses on conflict resolution between individuals with differing perspectives or disagreements.

His adviser is Holly Rhode, FHS Family and Consumer Sciences instructor.

The FCCLA Interpersonal Communications STAR Event is a competitive event in which students develop and demonstrate effective communication skills used to build and maintain healthy relationships. Participants research a real-life communication topic and present a project showcasing skills such as active listening, conflict resolution, and appropriate verbal and nonverbal communication.