GRAVETTE - Elizabeth McCarthy, sophomore at Gravette High School, has made her mark by stitching herself into the history of GHS.

Notoriously known for her talent with needle and thread, McCarthy spoke about how her skills helped her get to where she is today.

McCarthy is a returning member of the popular club FCCLA, or Family and Career Leaders of America. Last year, her first being involved with the club, McCarthy recounts that she was “trying to get a feel for the club.”

This year she was ready to put her nose to the grindstone and make it to the state competition. Nothing got in her way. McCarthy put 33 and a half hours into creating her dress, not including the hours spent fixing and revising during competition.

Connie Nichols, teacher at Gravette High School and sponsor of FCCLA, ended up canceling McCarthy’s journey to state competition due to hazardous weather conditions that threatened the journey to Conway, where the FCCLA state competition was being held. McCarthy took the bad news in stride and “kept on smiling.” Nichols, however, was terrified at the thought of telling McCarthy that state was a no-go. “I was very disappointed for her because she worked so hard on the project.”

Despite not being able to make it to state, McCarthy has found other ways to climb the ladder and put her skills to good use. Recently, she was recruited by Mr. Galloway, drama director at Gravette High School, to sew some of the costumes for GHS’ upcoming play “Aladdin.”

McCarthy, excited to be able to showcase her work, accepted the project. The task allows McCarthy to have creative freedom, but she plans on sticking with the original design of the “Aladdin” costumes so they will be easily recognized.

McCarthy said, “I am going to come back (to state) with a vengeance. Nothing will stop me next year.”

News, Pages 6 on 04/10/2013