BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — Students from the Martin County chapter of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) captivated Kiwanis Club members with demonstrations of their award-winning projects.
FCCLA adviser Connie Harless introduced a group of six students during the Kiwanis luncheon Thursday at Giovanni’s in Inez.
“I just want to say how proud I am of them,” Harless said, looking out at the audience.
Among those students was Dovie Harless, who has worn many hats, including that of chapter officer, regional leader and state officer. Though she sat out this year’s STAR competitive events — a signature program of FCCLA known as Students Taking Action with Recognition — she is no stranger to competition. Harless has participated in several over her tenure. Her absence from this year’s contest was due to the increasing demands of state-level leadership.
Abigail Osborn, another standout student, captured second place in webpage design at the Kentucky FCCLA State Leadership Conference held April 23-25 at Louisville’s Galt House. Her entry — the website martincountyfccla.weebly.com — already landed her in the top 20 nationally, an achievement that cemented her growing reputation.
Although both Osborn and Harless qualified for the National Leadership Conference in Orlando this July, neither will attend. Instead, they will be participating in the prestigious Governor’s Scholars Program, a five-week summer residential program for Kentucky’s top high school juniors.
Osborn is already preparing for her next FCCLA role: Region 11 president for 2025–26.
Connie Harless also introduced Darrian Jewell and Harlie Hinkle, who won first place in the STAR event Students Taking Action With Recognition for their food innovation project, Tropic Energy.
Finally, the adviser introduced Ella Lawson and Kenzlee Smith, whose Chapter Service Project entitled “From the Heart” earned top honors.
Other students, Harless noted, were unable to attend due to academic commitments. Among them, Jaycee Maynard and Brook Howell designed a Harry Potter-themed Airbnb as part of an interior design STAR event.
“They did a little research in this area to see if Airbnbs are working here,” Harless said. “And they found out they were.”
Each student group shared their project with Kiwanis members, walking them through their process, outcomes and impacts.
Digital platform
Abigail Osborn’s award-winning website, martincountyfccla.weebly.com, chronicles her FCCLA chapter and is equal parts history, information and marketing tool.
The homepage defines the chapter as a student-led group focused on leadership skills, career readiness and community involvement. A dedicated “Legacy” tab traces its roots to Sheldon Clark High School when the organization was still the Future Homemakers of America (FHA).
“I got photos of FHA from before members were allowed to wear their red jackets,” Osborn explained. “Legacy was our theme for state this year, so I used that as one of my tabs.”
Additional tabs feature officer profiles, chapter activities and a contact form.
“I also talk about how we promote family and consumer sciences in our chapter,” said Osborn.
There is also a membership section outlining recruitment strategies and recognition programs.
“I had to talk about the activities of our chapter and what our plans are for the next school year,” she said. “That’s basically it for the website. I’m still adding stuff to it.”
Osborn plans to apply her skills to creating a website to sell purses that she designed as part of her projects in previous years. She uses textiles from discarded books to make the one-of-a-kind purses.
From the Heart
Ella Lawson and Kenzlee Smith took a route paved with one-on-one connections, handmade gifts, painted ceramics, and activities with residents at the nursing home in Inez.
Their gold-winning FCCLA project, titled “From the Heart,” involved monthly visits to the Martin County Health Care Facility. Over several months, the students delivered holiday gifts — crocheted hearts for Valentine’s Day, fabric Christmas trees — and engaged residents in conversation, painting, egg-dyeing and bingo.
“For Easter, we dyed eggs,” Lawson said. “We painted ceramics with them, and we were in the newspaper.”
They displayed their project on a large board filled with photos, graphics and a clear plan of action.
Lawson explained that she and Smith developed a plan to help guide their work.
“It helps you to know what to do and when to do it,” she said, identifying a graphic as their SMART goal. “It told us how our goal is achievable and how relevant it is to our community.”
The pair managed their project on a shoestring budget of under $50.
Smith, inspired by elderly clients at her mother’s hair salon, mentioned the toll of isolation.
“My mom owns Debbie’s Hair Salon,” Smith said. “There used to be a bunch of older ladies who would come in there. Sometimes that would be the only people they would see that week.”
Lawson added, “All they see, for the most part, is the people who work at the nursing home. They don’t really get to see younger people or students.”
Smith recalled hearing a story about a former nursing home resident who passed away quickly during the isolation of the COVID quarantine.
“He lost his thrive to survive,” she said.
The pair credited contributions from Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) classmates.
“They came and helped us,” said Lawson.
The students invested about 40 hours doing crafts over several months.
Their favorite part of the project? Bingo with the residents, hands down – with 15 to 20 residents participating.
The two learned HIPAA compliance and allergy awareness, as they could not bring in homemade food.
Tropic Energy
When Darrian Jewell and Harlie Hinkle looked around, they saw a problem: teenagers drinking sugary, caffeinated energy drinks.
“We saw that within the county there were a lot of adolescents who are drinking energy drinks,” Jewell said. “There are a lot of side effects with those energy drinks — like heart problems.”
Their first-place solution is Tropic Energy, an all-natural, fruit-based, nutrient-rich alternative without caffeine or added sugars.
The FCCLA team’s original formula contained orange, banana, pineapple, coconut water and whole milk.
“We had 20 people try it and asked what different types of bases they would like,” explained Jewell. “They liked three of them. So we took their feedback and made three prototypes.”
The first prototype contained kiwi and 1% milk, the second contained almond milk, and the third used macadamia nuts and yogurt.
“Once we got our focus groups together, we had each one of them test all three to see which one was the most favorable,” Jewell said. “They liked the original better, with the whole milk.”
Packaging came next: 8-ounce glass bottles adorned with FCCLA fun facts under each cap.
“This one says, ‘FCLA was founded in 1945,’” said Hinkle, displaying a sample.
The team calculated nutritional facts and created labels.
“They all have 110% [daily value] of vitamin C, which boosts your energy,” said Jewell. “They have a lot of berries for your immune system. So it’s not just energizing; it’s also healthy.”
Jewell said all ingredients are ServSafe. He noted that he and Hinkle documented each step of the process, from blending and testing to washing dishes.
“We had a chef on our panel,” said Jewell. “He said that we did amazing.”
The team has already begun selling at school.
“We started selling at school the other day,” Hinkle said. “We’re going to try to grow our business and make money off this.”
The drink was an instant hit. Sales are going “pretty good,” Jewell reported.
The pricing model: $2.70 per bottle or $15.62 for a six-pack — a 50% and 40% markup, respectively. Proceeds will benefit the American Heart Association and Ronald McDonald House.
Jewell said the team chose to create a tropical drink because summer is nearing.
“Everyone loves a little bit of tropical stuff; they love a little coconut and pineapple,” he said. “And we figured that is a good marketing strategy—they’re going to love it—and they do love it.”
Sales topped 30 bottles in the first week.
“They love them,” Jewell said. “Teachers said it’s better than coffee. I have testimonies.”
Their drink, branded with the slogan “Pure Power from Paradise,” will soon be available at school, community festivals and the upcoming Oliver Anthony concert May 17. The team hopes to expand into local convenience stores.