By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

Tailgating for Friday Night Football started early at Maplesville High School, thanks to Family and Consumer Science students.

The students prepared a tailgate-themed lunch for teachers on Aug. 25. Teachers paid $6 a plate for the lunch and the funds will help students pay for more cooking projects in the future.

Students participated as part of an event planning class.

Gracie Harrison, a sophomore at MHS, said they cooked throughout the week to be ready on Friday.

“We all got in a group and decided what appetizers we wanted to have,” Harrison said. “We prepared barbecue sliders and sausage balls and a Chocolate Delight.”

Harrison said her favorite dish was a corn dip, made with corn, Ro-tel, jalapeños and sour cream.

Brooklyn Morris, a sophomore at MHS, said she enjoyed creating the tailgate because “we got to cook and that was fun and we got to help the other teachers.”

“I just hope they like the food,” Morris said.

Teacher Dana Smith said the meals are always “something to look forward to” because it brings a unique and yummy lunch to them.

Morris said her favorite item on the menu for the day was the ham and cheese sliders. She also enjoyed making the Chocolate Delight. She said the corn dip was the most complex recipe to make sure it tasted the way it should.

Cierra James, a sophomore at MHS, said making the sliders was her favorite part.

Teacher Teresa Stewart said the meal planning starts by choosing a theme, then students look for recipes on Pinterest.

“We will do it four time during football season, and then we will do it once a month after that,” Stewart said.

Each meal will have a different theme. Stewart said some of the themes for the year will be Mexican, soups and chili.

At MHS, students have the opportunity to take Family and Consumer Science courses and participate in the Family Career and Community Leaders of America club.

“As FCCLA, we take trips together,” Stewart said. “We have state convention in the spring.”

A trip to the Alabama Shakespeare Festival is in the works. Stewart said the trip highlights the importance of dress and behavior at a formal event.

“We try to touch on things that nobody else has the opportunity to,” Stewart said. “It is absolutely the best area to be in because we get to do the fun stuff.”

Morris said she really enjoys the activities in the program, including learning to sew, learning to cook and other skills needed at home.

James enjoys the program “because we get to help people and cook.” She said she also enjoys the class because “I have an awesome teacher I can come to about anything.”