HUNTERSVILLE – Two rising North Mecklenburg High School seniors earned top honors at the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America’s 2011 National Leadership Conference.

Brittany McBryde, of Huntersville, and Brittany Morrison, of Charlotte, earned a gold medal in National Programs in Action, one of 28 national Students Taking Action with Recognition (STAR) events organized by the organization.

The students accepted their medals at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif., on July 14. More than 6,300 members, advisers, alumni and guests attended the meeting.

About 3,500 students advanced from the local, regional and state levels of STAR events to the national meeting.

McBryde and Morrison took part in the National Programs in Action, using their family and consumer sciences-related occupational skills to develop a portfolio, participate in an interview and communicate a personal understanding of job requirements and the ability to perform them.

“We decided on a project within the community and service chapter, in which we gave back to our community by providing teens in need with jean clothing,” the girls said in a news release. “Throughout this process we learned great communication and leadership skills. This has also ...  taught us the importance of giving back to the community.”

Youth and adults work together in Family, Career and Community Leaders of America to manage the STAR programs and evaluate the participants.

Throughout the year, student members tackle issues such as teen violence prevention, traffic safety, family issues and career exploration.