For five days from Feb. 12-16, over 200,000 students across the country were celebrating FCCLA Week as they participated in many chapter activities.

Out of that large number, 17 of them celebrated FCCLA Week for the final time at Montgomery County High School.

Beth Bextermiller, Claire Cobb, Hannah Davis, Erica Devlin, Aleida Eldringhoff, Alexa Groeber, Autumn Hunter, Peyton McGough, Kylee McReaken, Aaliyah Onofre, Ray Poston, Maddy Queathem, Shea Stille, Jaylee Sweazea, Dani Thomas, Hannah Toenges and Jaylynn Zerr make up the large senior class for the MCHS FCCLA group.

“I’m going to miss it a lot because of the friendships I made and all of the activities that I do like going to state,” Toenges said.

Toenges has been a member of the chapter since her freshman year. She was recently promoted as the chapter’s president.

“It’s a bunch of added responsibilities, but I like it a lot,” Toenges said. “It’s kind of like being a leader for everyone and being in charge of people a little bit.”

During FCCLA Week, members went to Jefferson City for a Missouri ACTE Legislative Advocacy Day event, had their annual Pizza Lunch fundraiser and delivered presents to all FCCLA members. The group raised $1,200 from its Pizza Lunch fundraiser and that money will help pay for members to attend Missouri FCCLA State Conference at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Toenges said her favorite part of FCCLA Week is going to Jefferson City to meet with State Representative Bruce Sassmann.

“Obviously, I always look forward to going to the capitol because Bruce Sassmann is an amazing representative,” said Toenges, who plans to work as a real estate agent after graduating from MCHS in May. “He took us on a private tour last year of all of these really cool rooms.”

Onofre, who is the chapter’s treasurer, joined the chapter last year. She said she was influenced by adviser Beth Beattie to become a member.

“Mrs. Beattie was saying how she really wanted me and a couple of people to join the FCCLA,” said Onofre, who plans to attend Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Ind., next year. “So last year, I joined.”

Also, five seniors completed National FCCLA’s Power of One program in December as part of their final in their family and consumer science classes. They were Bextermiller, Cobb, Devlin, Onofre and Thomas. They were among 16 MCHS students who completed the program.

Zerr was elected FCCLA Region 4 President two years ago. Freshman Olivia Spurgeon will take her place as she was recently named the new president.

“Good job to her,” Toenges said. “She deserved it. She’s been very involved. She’s a good leader.”