In a town with fewer than 2,000 people, more than 150 community members filled the Collinsville High School cafeteria Feb. 7 for the annual FFA/FCCLA Booster Club dinner and auction. The night concluded with over $20,000 raised to support the local agriculture students.
For 34 years, the dinner and auction have become a passing of the torch, with generations of students working the same auction tables their parents once worked. This event has become a staple in the small town, this year marking its most successful yet.
“I thought it went really well, probably the best,” said Chris Uselton, an ag science teacher at Collinsville ISD. “We had more people and raised more money than in years past.”
The numbers were significant, but not in the way you may think. Collinsville students play a central role in the success of the event. Approximately 30 students setup and work the auction, which matters just as much as the amount raised.
“I think one thing that sets our auction part is that our kids actually work it,” said Kate Nix, an FFA & FCCLA advisor at Collinsville. “The community likes to see the students there helping.”
Funds help cover creative arts entry fees, livestock and ag mechanic projects, scholarships, meal expenses, competitions and conventions. One of the most significant impacts is the covering of entry fees for the county creative arts show, where Collinsville students regularly submit more than 100 projects. For many families and programs, these costs add up quickly.
“Some students might not have the entry fee money, so the booster club covers that cost, which is huge for our kids,” Nix said.
Over the years, the fundraiser has grown significantly. Uselton recalled a time when raising $5,700 was considered a major success.
“We just had a really good vibe going with the year,” Uselton said.
For the small town of Collinsville, this event represents more than just another fundraiser; it’s a reflection of a generation of families who have invested in youth leadership.
“It just keeps replicating itself,” Uselton said. “I’ve had kids in class, then later on in my career I’ve had their kids.”
The greatest relief comes not from the money raised but when the rooms are filled with community members.
“Our fear is always that we will do all this work and nobody will show up,” Nix said. “Seeing the community come out and support us every year just makes our hearts happy.”
In a town without large corporations, Collinsville students are proving that leadership and responsibility are still worth investing in. Each year, the community reminds the students how much they believe in its youth. Their investment keeps the tradition alive.
