Members of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) will compete in the FCCLA state competition from Feb. 28 to March 2, according to Maddie Troy, club secretary and junior . Competitors prepared for the competition by attending work sessions with club sponsor Nancy Spencer every Thursday for the past few months, according to Spencer.

Club members participating can enter in a STAR Event, a showcase of a skill like cooking and entrepreneurship, or a State Event, a research project of an issue that affects the community, according to Troy.

“I’m doing a research project on teen driving,” Troy said. “The increased number of teenagers texting and drinking while driving is affecting our community.”

The bake sale the club had on Tuesday and Wednesday of finals week was a success, according to Spencer. Members of the club raised money for State Competition fees. The club’s biggest fundraiser of the year, March of Dimes, is scheduled for May 18, according to Troy. The event raises money for children with birth defects, according to Spencer.

FCCLA has increased their membership from 54 members to 59, according to Spencer. The club has consistently increased its membership since October when it had only 36 members.

“It would be better for you do join after State Competitions, but I still would encourage people to join,” Troy said.