Seventh-grader Kayla James recently participated in the Long Island FACS Challenge, a contest hosted by the Long Island Family and Consumer Science Professionals organization for all middle school and high school FACS students from Nassau and Suffolk.

The idea behind James’ project, titled “Dinner Time,” came from her research that showed families who have dinner together thrive together. During lunchtime at the middle school, James handed out 40 herb seedlings to fellow students along with coinciding recipes using the herb. She encouraged her classmates to plant the seedlings and to use that herb to make a delicious meal with their families.

“Giving the herbs out was an amazing experience that gave me and many others joy,” James said. “Just to see the expression on my peers’ faces was the only thing I needed to make my day, and I know that I made their days too. I talked about the project and the importance of family and healthy eating.”

“I’m thrilled that Kayla chose to participate in the challenge and represent Islip Middle School and our family and consumer science program,” said teacher Natalie DeSena. “The other students were very receptive and loved her idea.”