by Manisha Panthee, Features Editor
 
As FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) club members prepare for sectionals on February 22, they keep in mind that this is the moment and the day is fast approaching.
“That one day is the make-or-break of the project that you’ve been working on the whole year,” junior club member Mary Hafertepe said.
FCCLA is an organization for students in Family and Consumer Sciences education. Involvement at Prospect ranges from freshmen to seniors. According to Hafertepe, most club members are students in education electives and/or wish to go into teaching, but all students are welcome.
Club members choose a year-long project from a range in topics, from cooking and teaching to advertising. The choose a project that will better their community. Members work hard for sectionals in February, eventually hoping to make it to state. According to Hafertepe, Prospect has a great reputation within the nationally recognized club, as many members go to state.
Although she didn’t go to nationals, Hafertepe earned first place last year in her event at state. This year she is also aiming for first place as she wishes to go to nationals, which will be held at Florida in the summer.
She contributes the club’s success in part due to the work put in by the members and in part due to the club’s sponsors, Marie Miller and Amy Gordon Collins.
“The teachers are really good at preparing us,” Hafertepe said. “They’re setting us up for the best that we can do.”
Hafertepe learned about the club through her older sister who was a club member before she graduated. During her sophomore year, she joined the club to be more active in extracurriculars with her friends. Due to the club, Hafertepe has become friends with students that she might not have talked to during school.
“FCCLA is my favorite club,” Hafertepe said. “It’s a really fun group of people.”