Forbush High School DECA Continues Tradition of Service with “Support Our Troops 2.0”

East Bend, NC – Forbush High School DECA has once again demonstrated its commitment to leadership, service, and community impact through its second annual support initiative for U.S. service members stationed overseas. Building on the success of last year’s project, FHS DECA proudly launched Support Our Troops: 2.0, a schoolwide effort dedicated to sending care packages and messages of gratitude to the brave men and women serving our country.

A Look Back: Mission I

Last year, FHS DECA organized its first large-scale community service project, Mission: Support Our Troops. Homerooms across the school collected items, and students wrote heartfelt letters of appreciation to Mr. Tomlin, a National Guard service member who was deployed overseas at the time. Thanks to the generosity of the Falcon community, 19 fully packed boxes were shipped to Mr. Tomlin and his fellow soldiers—each one filled with snacks, comfort items, and reminders of home.

Honoring Service Members on Campus

This year’s project began with a special gesture for Veterans Day. DECA students designed and created patriotic-themed tumblers, which were gifted to (current and veteran) service members working on the Forbush High School campus. This act of appreciation set the tone for another meaningful year of service.

Support Our Troops: 2.0

To expand the impact of the project, FHS DECA invited school groups, clubs, classes, and even the Yadkin County Schools Central Office to become Box Sponsors. Participating groups selected a box size, filled it with thoughtful items, and included handwritten letters of appreciation. Whether groups chose to send their box to a specific service member or donate it for general distribution, each package was prepared with care and gratitude.

Once the boxes were collected, Mr. Tomlin once again played a vital role by helping ensure the packages were shipped to deserving service members stationed overseas. This year, the school community contributed 10 completed boxes, each one representing teamwork, compassion, and Falcon pride. The effort put towards this project and its ultimate success exemplified this year’s slogan: “Making a difference, one box at a time.”

Richmond Hill Law School Commission Presents $500 Donation to FHS DECA

Forbush High School DECA is proud to share a moment of celebration and gratitude as the Richmond Hill Law School Commission presented the chapter with a $500 donation in recognition of the work Mrs. Funk’s Sport & Event Marketing Classes, Hospitality & Tourism Classes and her DECA students completed throughout the school year.

This generous contribution reflects the Commission’s appreciation for the creativity, time, and hands‑on effort students invested in helping reimagine the branding and community engagement potential of the Historic Richmond Hill Law School. From designing original logos and merchandise prototypes to creating gifts for Commission members and magnets for every fourth grader in the county, students demonstrated professionalism, innovation, and a genuine commitment to community partnership.

The Commission’s donation is a meaningful acknowledgment of the students’ hard work and the positive impact of this collaboration. FHS DECA is deeply grateful for this support and looks forward to continuing partnerships that connect students with real‑world learning experiences while strengthening ties within our community.

Thank you to the Richmond Hill Law School Commission for your generosity and for believing in the marketing program at Forbush High School and the work of our students.

FHS Hospitality and Tourism Students Earn Credentials

Students in Mrs. Funk’s Hospitality and Tourism Management class during fall semester earned the Certified Guest Service Professional (CGSP) credential.

Recognized worldwide, the CGSP certification is the highest acknowledgement of guest service excellence for hospitality and tourism employees.

Congratulations to these students on this accomplishment! 

Entrepreneurship II Students Earn Credential

Students in Nicole Pardue’s Entrepreneurship II class earned the Entrepreneurship and Small Business credential.

Students earn this credential by taking a comprehensive exam through the credentialing agent Certiport.

Congratulations to these students on their accomplishment.

SHS Students Earn Credential

Students in Mrs. Trivette’s Counseling and Mental Health II class have earned the Pre-professional Certification in Family and Community Services. 

This certification exam and credential are completed through the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences.

Congratulations to these students, and to Mrs. Trivette, on their accomplishment! 

Agricultural Mechanics Students Earn Credential

Students in Mr. Allen’s Agricultural Mechanics II – Small Engines class passed the NC State Competency Exam to earn a Briggs and Stratton credential.

Congratulations to these students and to Mr. Allen for having a 100% pass rate!

JROTC Cadets Earn Credential

Cadets from Forbush and Starmount High have earned the JROTC Leadership and Employability Skills credential.

This was the first year the state offered this to the JROTC students and YCS had a 100% pass rate for eligible students.

Congratulations to these cadets and their instructors!