HERNDON, Va.,  — A Hermann High School FCCLA member is one of 15 national semifinalists for the 2025-26 Member of the Year Award presented by the U.S. Army.

Taylor Lauer, a member of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America chapter (FCCLA) at Hermann High School, is being recognized for outstanding leadership, academic excellence, and a strong commitment to service.

Lauer has served Missouri FCCLA in multiple regional leadership roles, progressing from Region 5 Historian to Region 5 Vice President and Region 5 President, while also leading Competitive Events at the Hermann chapter level. Recognition in competitive events, including Teaching Strategies, Career Connection and more, demonstrates a clear passion for education and career preparation, according to a release from the FCCLA organization. Lauer’s leadership in choir, band, theatre, FFA, and additional organizations reflects a broad commitment to student involvement. Lauer’s work consistently connects communication, teaching, and service in ways that reflect the heart of FCCLA.

The FCCLA Member of the Year Award, presented by the U.S. Army, is the highest recognition an FCCLA member can achieve. The award honors one exceptional student among FCCLA’s more than 260,000 members who demonstrate outstanding leadership, a commitment to FCCLA’s mission, and the U.S. Army’s core values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage.

The top 15 semifinalists have advanced to the second round of evaluation, with the top five finalists to be named in April following the interview process. Each of the top five finalists will receive a $1,000 cash prize, and the national recipient will receive an additional $2,000, for a total award of $3,000. The top five finalists will also be announced and recognized on stage at the 2026 National Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., where the FCCLA Member of the Year will be announced live during a general session.

Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) is a national career and technical student organization that prepares students for careers that support the family through Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) education. Since 1945, FCCLA has provided leadership development, workplace readiness, and career preparation opportunities that equip students with the skills needed for success in both life and work. FCCLA is integrated into the classroom, allowing students to apply academic knowledge through real world experiences, including competitive events, national programs, and leadership opportunities at the local, state, and national levels. Hermann High School’s FCCLA chapter is one of more than 5,400 chapters nationwide.