Illinois State University’s chapter of the Illinois Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers’ Association (IFACSTA) hosted 16 local high school students to give them an opportunity to explore opportunities in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS).
Emily Pilguy, a teacher education major in FCS, is student teaching at Normal Community High School. As part of her Professional Development School placement, Pilguy must also work on a project outside of the classroom. Pilguy was inspired to help spruce up the high school’s chapter of Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA).
“I know how beneficial this opportunity was for me in high school. So I am working to make this an opportunity for their students to succeed through and benefit from everything FCS has to offer,” said Pilguy.
With the help of other Professional Development School students at Normal Community High School and Normal Community West High School and Illinois State’s IFACSTA chapter, Pilguy organized an event for students from both high schools to ask questions about college, tour the FCS Department, and mingle with peers with similar interests. The students were able to visit the drafting, textile, sewing and kitchen labs; to see projects students in FCS were working on; and to participate in a cupcake decorating contest.
Pilguy said their plan was successful in informing the students about college in a stress-free environment without the pressures of parents or teachers around. Since the event, several high school students have reached out to FCS for more information. For more information, visit the department’s website.
