“Toward New Horizons” is the popular motto of the non-profit organization Family Career and Community leaders of America or known as FCCLA.

FCCLA is a national non-profit organization that has been active across the world for 70 years. The purpose of this organization is to provide youth and teens a chance to help give back to their neighbors, public schools and private schools by participating in fundraising or supported events for foundations.

The club has been co-curricular in Derby High School for the last 10 years. Penny Christensen also has been the club’s main sponsor. Cheyenne Bryant is the current president, Lisa Coffey is vice president of the club. Both are in charge of all the clubs volunteer activities including projects.

One of the events that the club has recently volunteered at is the Buddy Walk. The Buddy walk is in the month of October and the purpose of the walk is to raise awareness and promote acceptance of individuals affected by down syndrome.  

Another volunteered event that FCCLA participated in was the partnership with Wesley Hospital in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The main project was scent circles used to give the premature newborns comfort by utilizing their mother’s scent. The circles are made of fleece and cut into the size of a CD, then mothers of the babies are instructed to wear the circles to absorb their scent for twelve hours before the circles are placed under the babies.  

“Towards New Horizons” is the best summarization and motivational motto for what FCCLA has done for the communities world wide including the city of Derby and will continue to strive for bigger projects in the future.