Betsy Norum Award

Members of the AAFCS Community of Lifelong Professionals realize that undergraduate student members of AAFCS may have financial constraints that prevent them from attending the AAFCS Annual Conference and Expo. The contacts, content, and stimulation derived from the wide variety of programs and activities offered provide important experiences for the pre-professional majoring in one of the varied areas encompassed by Family and Consumer Sciences. This subsidy is offered to give a financial boost to such a student. This subsidy has been given annually since 1995 in memory of Betsy Norum, Minnesota, National Home and Community (now Community of Lifelong Professionals) Chair, 1968-70.

The $500 Betsy Norum is awarded annually to a student majoring in a Family and Consumer Sciences program at their university. To apply the student must be a college junior, a member of the AAFCS Student Unit, and has not previously attended the national conference.

Guidelines and Applications

Applications Open: November 3, 2025 

Application Deadline: January 12, 2026

Guidelines

Application

Submit

2025 Recipient

Rylee Bezoni - Iowa

My passion for Family and Consumer Sciences began with a love for teaching and an appreciation for the essential life skills FCS offers. I have always aspired to be a teacher from a young age, but I struggled to decide between math and FCS. It was not until my work-based learning experience in high school that I gained confidence in my decision. Assisting my school’s Family Consumer Sciences teacher with her Culinary 1 class allowed me to see firsthand how much students genuinely enjoy learning in the FCS classroom. Unlike math, which involves repeating the same lessons, FCS offers a dynamic teaching environment where I can engage with various content areas and skills. This experience solidified my passion for FCS and reaffirmed my decision to pursue this career. -As a future FCS educator, I aim to teach practical life skills and empower students by highlighting the importance of FCS education in shaping their lives. I am eager to advocate for the field and show students how these skills can have a lasting impact on their lives.