Love was in the air on Saturday, February 15th, in Tippecanoe High School, where Senior Evie Gold hosted a memorable and impactful Valentine’s event. Children from the community were invited to listen to Evie present a story time of Froggy’s First Kiss, create froggy-themed valentines, decorate cookies, and play games as a part of Evie’s FCCLA project. Although one or two children trickled in late at first, and the turnout looked less than hopeful, Gold and her classmates were patient. Eventually, Evie hosted twelve children from toddler to school age in her exciting story time event.

FCCLA is the acronym for Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America. Evie and some of her fellow students hosted this event as a part of their FCCLA project for 2025. Members of the FCCLA compete annually against other students in Ohio, and if they win, they move on to compete at a national level. This year, Evie is choosing to focus on the Children category of FCCLA, which urges competitors to create a project that revolves around child development as well as community.

Not only did Gold read Froggy’s First Kiss because it’s one of her childhood favorites, but the story time allowed Evie to practice skills surrounding child development and literacy. The cookie decorating, Valentine's crafts, and games focused on developing friendship and social skills among the children participating. Judging by the smiles and laughter from each of the children at the event, Evie reached her project goals while also creating a positive Valentine's memory for children in the Tipp City community.

There was a small fee of ten dollars per child for the story time and crafting event. This money, however, didn't go directly back into the FCCLA. Instead, Gold used the money from the story time to further the community goals of her project. In December, Evie and her FCCLA crew donated gifts to the Troy Domestic Violence Shelter. Evie and her fellow students decided that the shelter would be the best outlet for the funding of this project as well.

Gold says, “I knew I wanted to give the funds to somewhere local and had done projects with the Troy Domestic Violence Shelter. They had expressed their gratitude for the donation of Christmas gifts, so we thought they would be the best recipient!” Not only did the Froggys First Kiss participants have fun creating, decorating, and spending time with other kids, but they also donated to a bigger cause. They learned this and the important meaning of holidays like Valentine’s Day. Gold also picked Froggy’s First Kiss in part because it teaches the importance and fulfillment that comes from gift-giving, and integrity.

Gold says, “Overall, this was one of my favorite projects that I have done in high school, I know I had fun, and I think the kids did too.” Evie continues to make waves in the Tippecanoe community, as well as within her high school, and hopefully at the State level. The hard work that Gold and her friends put into this project hasn't gone unnoticed and is recognizable on the smiling faces of each of the kids during Valentine’s event.