Taster's choice

By Staff
Melissa Cason
Franklin County Times
The Russellville High School Family, Careers and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) and the Family Dynamics class held a tasting tea Wednesday to introduce their fellow students to foods from around the globe.
FCCLA advisor and teacher Cindy Coan said the tasting tea is annual event at RHS, giving Family and Consumer Science students the opportunity to showcase the skills learned in class.
"The students picked their country and researched the culture to learn what type of dishes are eaten in their country," Coan said, adding a lot of research and preparation goes into creating the different dishes.
"Some (dishes) where too difficult or they couldn't find all the correct ingredients."
The only country not featured in the showcase was Mexico because, Coan said, many Mexican dishes have been Americanized and have already become a staple in our culture.
"The goal is to get the students to try something new and different," she said.
FCCLA members have another purpose for the tea. It's also used to encourage FCCLA members to bring in a shoebox filled with goodies for Operation: Christmas Child, which furnishes gifts for millions of children around the globe.
"Our goal for Operation Christmas Child is 40 boxes," Coan said.
The project, Coan added, reinforces the idea that the student's community is not only the neighborhood in which they live but the whole world can be considered a community in itself.