FCCLA helps community
Sports reporter
It has a long name, and an even longer list of members.
The Marion High School Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) is boasting its biggest number of club members in the seven years Myrta Billings has been sponsor.
The group, which focuses on family first and is affiliated with family and consumer science classes at MHS, has 23 girls and one boy this year.
"I have a broad range," Billings said. "There are sports people and non-sports people."
There are however, just two freshmen, Heather Fine and Tristen Snelling, and one boy, senior Jake Czarnowsky.
But all of them work together with community service events, school activities, and individual and team competitions throughout the state and nation.
They also attended state and national meetings, as well as vie for leadership roles.
On the community service side, the club recently collected canned foods during the "Souper Bowl of Caring," to donate to the Marion County Food Bank.
Three members, Hannah Rogers, Kalaya Jackson, and Megan Schmidt, traveled in January to Minnesota for a cluster meeting with FCCLA group members from across the nation.
Senior Liz Covarrubias was named a district officer in District G, which is the largest in the state.
"There are opportunities for them to be in a leadership role, and we have some students who step up," Billing said.
Other MHS members help behind the scenes, which is just as important.
Tori Schmidt planned a "Family Fun Night," Monday where group members and their families got together at the school for games, contest, prizes, and food.
"These are all run by the students," Billings said of the different activities such as "Family Fun Night."
Something for everyone
The only requirement for being a FCCLA member is a student must be enrolled or already have taken a family and consumer science (FACS) class.
There is no requirement once in the club, but Billings feels most of the students who join do so because they want to be involved.
"We do have some that do more than others," she said.
But that is OK because the group is set up for the students to work at their own pace.
One student who was working a lot this past week was Audra Allen, a senior who has been an FCCLA member for three years.
She attended a Students Taking Action for Recognition (STAR) event Feb. 13 at Newton where she was in the mock job interview competition.
She had put together a portfolio to prepare for the event.
"It was fun," Allen said. "It was a lot better than I expected."
The portfolio preparation was a lot of work she said, but she feels it will help her when she goes for a real interview.
Freshmen Fine and Snelling attended a Leadership Experience Opportunity (LEO) at Newton as well.
Fine was there for public speaking, and Snelling for creed.
"There are just so many opportunities for them," Billings said.
With most of her students as seniors this year, Billings is hoping some freshmen step up and help keep the group as strong as it is now.
"Word of mouth is big for us," Billing said of trying to recruit members.
She told the story of how an eighth grade student of hers when she was in Ohio joined the middle school club, even though he had some hesitation.
By the time he graduated high school he had been a district officer twice.
From community service events, group activities, and competitions, he had found something he loved to do.
"We do it all," Billings said. "We touch on everything."
