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Oklahoma’s own Miss America 2006 - Jennifer Berry - uses skills learned as an active member of DECA and FCCLA at Jenks High School to promote her platform of intolerance to drunk driving and underage drinking.
On Jan. 21, 2006, Oklahoma’s Jennifer Berry was crowned Miss America in Las Vegas.
Berry’s gifts of dance and quick thinking combined with leadership, public speaking and marketing skills make a winning combination. Although her gifts come naturally, Berry attributes Jenks High School CareerTech programs for helping develop some of her skills. |
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That is why Berry is being recognized as a CareerTech champion, according to Phil Berkenbile, CareerTech state director.
“Champions are alumni of the system's high school or adult programs and student organizations who attribute much of their success to their CareerTech experience,” Berkenbile said.
Jennifer Berry |
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Berry’s quick thinking skills started to develop as a young child and matured when she joined the CareerTech student organization Family Career and Community Leaders of America as a freshman. As a senior, she served as chapter president, according to Family and Consumer Sciences Education Instructor Dana Waggoner.
“Jennifer spent a lot of time in the FCCLA classroom and was very comfortable here,” Waggoner said. “She took every class we offered. Jennifer was like any high school girl. She had dreams and hopes and she worked hard in school.”
Berry, also a member of DECA the CareerTech student organization associated with Marketing Education, won the 2001 State Food Marketing Research Award.
DECA reaches out to students with interests in marketing, management and entrepreneurship. FCCLA promotes character development, creative and critical thinking, interpersonal communication, practical knowledge and vocational preparation. |
“As a member of FCCLA and DECA, I had the chance to learn public speaking skills,” Berry said. “I worked on marketing skills developed in high school during college. They are skills that helped me become Miss Oklahoma and Miss America. At age 16, I began speaking to groups, leading meetings and working on marketing plans for DECA. Those attributes will also help me promote my platform to its fullest this year across the country.”
Life skills development and service to the community are important elements of CareerTech student organizations. These experiences expose students to areas of need in their communities. Berry chose her career path based on some of the life skills she experienced while in FCCLA.
“In high school, Jennifer volunteered at Pioneer Village – a retirement center in Jenks,” Waggoner said. “FCCLA members throw parties for participants, paint nails and do crafts with the residents there. She was also involved in a reading program for young children.”
That reading program influenced Berry’s decision to become an elementary school teacher. She plans to come back to Oklahoma after her reign as Miss America to finish her degree in elementary education at the University of Oklahoma.
“I love being in Tulsa,” Berry said. “I would love to come back to Oklahoma and teach second grade.”
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The 2001 Jenks FCCLA Officer Team, shown left to right are: Dana Waggoner, advisor; Pat Karn, Katie Caggiano, President Jennifer Berry, Clint Shirley, Jennifer Buxton, Josh mcDowell, and Caleb Morris. |
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