Indiana FCCLA Student Participates in “Day in the Life of a Marriott General Manager”

Tatum Johnson, a member of the East Central High School FCCLA Chapter, was selected for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in the “Day in the Life of a Marriott General Manager” program in Orlando, Florida.

As part of this unique experience, Tatum shadowed a Marriott general manager and gained an insider’s perspective on what it takes to lead a world-class hospitality resort. The program provided rare, behind-the-scenes access to iconic Orlando properties, including:

• Orlando World Center Marriott
• JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes
• Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin

Students joined operations meetings, explored Front- and Heart-of-House areas, and met with department leaders to understand the teamwork, leadership, and innovation required to run a premier resort.

This exclusive program took place in conjunction with FCCLA’s Orlando Fall Leadership Institute, held October 15–18, 2025, where student leaders from across the country gathered for Disney-led workshops on leadership, teamwork, and career-connected learning.

Tatum shared her excitement about the experience:

My favorite part of the experience was seeing behind the scenes of how they ran the buffet at a certain restaurant and all the people that made that buffet successful. I learned the most by seeing how all other parts of the hotel contribute to the success of the overall general operation. This experience solidified that I want to pursue Hospitality as a major.

For Tatum, who is active in FCCLA, she is very involved in the projects that involve Fashion and Design and the Hospitality Industry.  She is also on the fundraising committee for the East Central Chapter.  This honor was not only about career exploration — it was also about bringing national experiences back to St. Leon and East Central FCCLA to inspire others.

This honor represented more than a visit to Orlando — it was a rare chance for Tatum to learn directly from industry leaders, explore future career pathways, and return home with insights that benefited both East Central and East Central FCCLA and the broader state of Indiana.