When Lynn Booth arrived at Commerce High School, the school’s FCCLA chapter had eight members. 

Today, it has more than 200. 

The numbers tell part of what has happened over the past few years, but Booth sees something more important behind them. Students who might never have considered joining a school organization are getting involved, taking on leadership roles and discovering opportunities they might not have had otherwise. 

For the second year, a grant from HireSmart Cares is helping make that possible by covering FCCLA affiliation costs, so students don’t have to pay dues to participate. 

“The grant that HireSmart has provided for us allows us to affiliate as many students as would like to be part of FCCLA,” Booth said. “They can be part of FCCLA for free.” 

That means students who can’t afford club dues don’t have to sit on the sidelines. 

“It’s just giving the opportunity to students that might not otherwise have the opportunity,” Booth said. 

Leadership within the chapter has grown along with membership. During Booth’s first year at Commerce, FCCLA had two student officers. Last year there were three. This year, seven students are serving as officers. 

The chapter’s growth has coincided with another milestone for Booth, who was recently named “Teacher of the Year” for Commerce City Schools. 

Adrianna Armendariz, vice president of public relations for FCCLA, congratulated her teacher and FCCLA sponsor on social media, writing, “As our FCCLA sponsor, you do so much behind the scenes and work SO hard.” 

Booth gives much of the credit back to her students. 

“Part of it is that I’m a good teacher, but part of it is that I have awesome students, and they’re the ones that drive me to be better,” she said. “When they give, I want to give more.” 

FCCLA members already have a busy year underway. They catered Commerce High School’s alumni homecoming event and hosted a regional FCCLA meeting that brought students from area schools to Commerce. 

Next comes the Fall Rally at the Georgia National Fair, where Commerce students plan to compete in the chili cookoff, peanut recipe, and brochure competitions. The Fall Conference will bring more opportunities, including a new career preparation event called Crafting Your Career. 

Community service will also continue with Boo Fest and the chapter’s Secret Santa campaign, followed by STAR Events competitions and the State Leadership Conference in Augusta. 

Booth hopes some students will advance to the FCCLA National Leadership Conference, but she said the value isn’t just advancing in a competition but what students get to experience. 

“To take kids out of their comfort zone and for them to see places that they’ve never seen before is just an amazing, amazing feeling,” she said. 

Follow the Commerce FCCLA on Instagram at @commerce.fccla