The Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), an organization for young men and women in Family and Consumer Sciences education at Chinook High School (CHS), is accepting dress donations for their Dress Boutique. The Dress Boutique, located in Room 106 at the Chinook High School at 528 Ohio Street in Chinook is a place to trade, buy, sell, or borrow formal gowns and dresses.

According to Hope Hamilton, the grade 7-12 Family Consumer Science teacher and FCCLA advisor, the Boutique was opened in anticipation of the CHS prom, which is scheduled for March 23.

"This is our community outreach project," Hamilton said. "Rather than always asking the community for something, we want to contribute to the community by making these dresses available in order to eliminate the money factor that sometimes imposes limitations on families."

Although the Dress Boutique currently has an inventory of only five dresses, as word gets out, they are sure to acquire more. "Since we put up the announcement, we've been getting interest from former graduates, siblings of current students, and people in Havre, as well," Hamilton reported.

"Several people have dresses from the 90s or even the 70s that have come back into style, so we're able to get these dresses out of the closet and give them another chance to attend a dance," Hamilton added.

If someone wants to sell a dress on consignment, that is also an option, according to Hamilton. In addition, anyone wishing to rent a dress can pay a $40.00 deposit, and when they return the dress, the FCCLA will return their money.

Interested individuals can drop off dresses on Monday through Friday during school hours (8:00 a.m. until 3:45 p.m.) and on Saturdays and Sundays from 4:00-6:00 p.m. when they are also welcome to stop in to try on dresses.

An integral part of the Family and Consumer Sciences curriculum, FCCLA is a career and technical student organization that focuses on the multiple roles of family member, wage earner, and community leader. With a current membership of nine students, FCCLA provides opportunities for active student participation at local, state, and national levels. The club is in its third year of existence at CHS.

Last year, two members attended State FCCLA Competition in Billings. Garrett Lowham, who was a senior, competed in the Knowledge Bowl and won a bronze medal. Rebecca Stroh, who is currently a sophomore at CHS, also received a bronze medal for her Recycle and Redesign Project as a freshman.

However, this year the FCCLA will not be competing at State, which will be held in Bozeman on March 21-22. The group decided not to travel because of the competition date's proximity to the CHS prom, a conflict which occurred due to late communications, Hamilton reported. "Next year we should have several members ready to compete," she stated.

Another community service project that the FCCLA has adopted is recovering the theater style seats in the Lloyd Sweet Auditorium. After noticing several cushions with holes or taped sections, the club decided to reclaim the seats. Of the 125 vintage chairs, they have recovered approximately 30 of them. To earn the funds that enable them to purchase the necessary repair supplies, the FCCLA has taken their turn at the high school concession stand, held bake sales at concerts, and served a taco bar at prom.

About the FCCLA, Hamilton explained that the club promotes personal growth and leadership development. The State Leadership Conference is an opportunity for youth leaders to learn more about themselves, the workplace, and careers.