Editor’s note: To wrap up Career and Technical Education Month, Andalusia High School FCCLA held a contest in which the members were to enter an article that explained what FCCLA means to them and how it has impacted their life. Ada Short won the article contest and was rewarded with a gift card to Steamboat and her article being featured in the Andalusia Star-News. Ada is a freshman at AHS and this is her first year in FCCLA. Mrs. Jana Clark, AHS FCCLA sponsor, stated that she cannot wait to watch Ada grow as an FCCLA member and see where her experiences take her during her four years of high school.

A portion of the winning article follows:

 

By ADA SHORT

Coming into high school this fall, I not only had many fears and insecurities, but many goals as well. I made up my mind to be involved in my school and make new friends through different activities and clubs. I was fortunate enough to be able to start the year off in Mrs. Clark’s class and therefore be more interested in joining FCCLA. From the very first meeting, I knew this was going to be one of my favorite ways to make memories and new friends. All the officers were kind and welcoming and made a point to talk to me; that told me this was exactly where I needed to be.

One of my biggest goals for the next four years is to become a person who is kind to everyone I meet and make them feel important- make them feel loved. I want to help make the world better beginning in my school, and FCCLA is just one more opportunity to do just that. Not only have I met other peers with the same goals, I have been able to serve others in our community through many service opportunities. To me, FCCLA is a major step on my journey to the best version of myself!

Recently, I was able to volunteer at touch-a-truck. It is a fundraiser for FCCLA, where children have the opportunity to explore and see various “trucks” first hand. There is something for every little kid to enjoy! From tractors, to first responders, to excavators, there are nearly every kind of machine for the kids to hop in and learn about while also having fun.

Another incredible project that FCCLA is currently working on is called project LINUS, an idea proposed by one of our members. Project LINUS has delivered more than 6,789,789 blankets to children in need since 1995. We made blankets (hence the name LINUS) out of fleece, and will be distributing them in a few weeks to sick children at Baptist Medical Center South in Montgomery. The children who will get these blankets are going through challenges that some of us cannot even begin to imagine the magnitude of.

I joined FCCLA to make friends and meet new people, but it also enables me to meet the requirements of my community service hours for a cord: something I am striving for. I am so grateful to our leaders here at AHS who encourage us to help out in our community. I believe community service is extremely important not only in high school, but throughout our lives, and starting it at a young age is an even more important part of our education here at Andalusia High School. I am grateful to receive my community hours by doing meaningful work to benefit so many people in my community.

Making new friends, overcoming fears, and helping out others in my community are reasons I love and appreciate FCCLA. I am thankful that Mrs. Clark has given up so much of her time to encourage us to not only serve others and be responsible community members, but leaders as well.