Commerce Middle School

Ashlynn Harbin and Akyn Trudnak, two 8th grade students from Commerce Middle School, have been working on a community service project over the months of January and February with their local chapter of FCCLA (Family Career Community Leaders of America). The project is to benefit the Boy's and Girl's Club of Jackson County. Through a bake sale at their school and donations from local businesses, Giftworks at the Joy Shoppe and Shelia's Consignment, the students were able to collect $175.00. The money has been used to purchase school supplies, sporting equipment, and personal hygiene products for the Boy's and Girl's Club. The supplies will be delivered to the Boy's and Girl's Club of Jackson County on February 23rd 2012.

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On Wednesday February 15th students from the Commerce Middle School Chapter of FCCLA participated in a STOP the Violence presentation. FCCLA members presented a skit to all grade levels from 5th to 8th on how you can recognize, reduce, and report youth violence in schools.

Student participants were Ashlynn Harbin, Alexia Rucker, Mary Young, Simeyah Rakestraw, Alex Rosa-Calix, Hannah Oglesby, Madison Smith, and Shelby Crane.

The presentation was created by 6th grade students Hannah Oglesby and Madison Smith. On Thursday February 16th CMS students signed a pledge in the cafeteria where they promised to be a friend to those around them, using the skit slogan: "Bullies tear down, but friends build up! Being mean stinks!"

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Sending "Thank You" cards at Thanksgiving to soldiers serving over-seas.

Beginning in the fall Commerce Middle School students attended a FCCLA officer training with students from Commerce High School.

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First FCCLA Meeting At Commerce Middle School

After Voting For T-Shirt Ideas We Played Games And This Student Was Playing The Dancing Game Where You Have To Repeat All Of The Dance Moves That The People Did Before You, And Then You Make Up Your Own Move. In All Of Our Meetings We Try To Find Time To Play Games That Teach Students Leadership Skills And How To Interact With Each Other.

Members learned about teamwork in the morning session.

In the afternoon we traveled to Good Dirt Pottery Studio in Athens, GA. Each student created their own plate to go along with the new dietary guidelines for Americans – My Plate!