Linn R-2 Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) teacher and Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Advisor Christine Miller, earned a 2019-20 Excellence in Advising Award from the state organization at the conclusion of last school year.
“We had a great year,” said Miller, whose award was delayed because of COVID-19. “Our drinking and driving docudrama earned first place in the state, and we had a gold medalist at nationals. To end the year with this award is very rewarding. I’m very appreciative because it shows that my students recognize the work and effort I put into the program, and how much they matter to me.”
Lisa Kruger, who was president last year, nominated Miller for the award because she is always willing to help her students. “She is always there for us and we all know we can go to her with anything and she will help us,” Kruger wrote. “She goes the extra mile for each and every one of us, and if it wasn't for her our chapter wouldn't be thriving as it is today.”
Kruger added that Miller makes a difference in the lives of FCCLA members. “She always is there to give a helping hand whether it is for her students, other faculty members, or someone she doesn't know in our community,” Kruger wrote. “She is there to help you through the good times and through our most stressful times.”
In addition to a membership drive, the Linn chapter held fundraisers for nationals and state and chapter activities, including dodgeball tournaments for the students, volunteering with the local Central Missouri Community Action (CMCA), and a 5K run/walk.
Linn’s docudrama through Families Acting for Community Traffic Safety (FACTS) earned first place in Missouri and a $500 award from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA).
As part of the 2019 Red Ribbon Week message to students about the dangers of drinking and driving, Linn R-2 held a special program entitled “Grim Reaper,” which involved random students throughout the morning, followed by a full assembly to show students that accidents can happen to them.
“We shouldn't drink and drive, or text and drive,” said Family and Consumer Science (FACS) teacher Christine Miller. “We should take driving as a privilege, not a right, and respect others on the road. This can happen to anyone; we are not invincible.”
Students were pulled out of class every 15 minutes throughout the day by Miller and the Grim Reaper, and were told "You have been killed by a drunk driver please come with me."
“Students then had their makeup done to make them look ’dead,’ a tombstone was hung with their name on it and they were sent back to class knowing they could no longer talk to anyone the rest of the day,” Miller explained, noting that 23 students were taken out of their classes throughout the day.
An assembly further highlighted the effects of poor decisions and served as a powerful message.
“It’s very important that we take time to remember how precious life is, and that it can be taken away in an instant,” said Miller. “There are enough challenges in the world every day without adding poor judgment to it like drinking and driving, or distracted driving.”
As for the gold medal earned at nationals last year, Miller said she was very impressed with the project put together by JD Kruger and Tanner Brandt, who built a business in the Lifesmarts entrepreneurship category.
“They created a bowling alley,” said Miller. “It was very detailed and required a lot of input from local businesses, including how to get a loan and maintain insurance. I am very proud of their effort. They did a great job.”
Lifesmarts categories include personal finance FCCLA/LifeSmarts, consumer rights and responsibilities (to include family, career and community studies), technology (to include fashion and housing design), health & safety (to include food science and nutrition and early childhood and human development, and environment (to include hospitality, tourism, and recreation).
This year’s Lifesmarts competition has completed the first round, and Linn’s team of Ally Wagner, Gibson Tschappler, Emma Kucsik, Marissa Gehlert, and Case Pinkerton has advanced to the next level.
During the first round of interview questions on topics outlined above, team members are expected to work together to take the TeamSmarts Quiz, a 100-question test, with the top 40 teams moving to the team interview section on Nov. 16.
Miller said her favorite part of FCCLA is watching students progress. “I want them to succeed, and I love watching them do things they didn’t think they could do, like speaking in public,” she added. “That’s really difficult for a lot of kids.”
Each member will have five short-answer and one multiple-choice questions, with the average determining whether the team will be one of 16 to move on to nationals.
“It’s not an easy process, so I appreciate their dedication to the competition,” said Miller.
Her mentor, Erica Libbert, who teaches FACS and is the FCCLA advisor at Fatima, also earned this award, which is special to Miller.
“I had Erica as my FACS teacher and it was a very lively program then,” said Miller. “When she left, a few different teachers had it, and since I’ve been the advisor for the last five years, we’ve brought stability. The kids know what to expect of me, and they know what I expect of them.”
Current officers are President Ally Wagner, Vice President Dorian Hill, Historian Gibson Tschappler, Membership Chair Marissa Gehlert, and Reporter Case Pinkerton.
Students in FACS study a variety of topics, including industry-recognized credentials (IRCs) obtained by students that can be used to help with entry-level positions in a field that doesn’t require a degree.
Linn offers childcare development and advanced childcare development, along with a foods class that ties in with the health of the child.
“Students learn how important nutrition is to children, and the role it plays in proper development,” said Miller.
These classes are sequenced, meaning they build upon the last to create a broader understanding.
Membership in FCCLA is recommended for FACS students but not required.
“It makes sense because students do a lot in the classroom that is closely related to FCCLA,” said Miller.
To follow the chapter, visit https://www.facebook.com/Linn-R-2-FCCLA.