FBLA, Future Business Leaders of America, is a non-profit organization or school club that supports students in their transition from school to the business world.
“This organization allows for many networking opportunities with business professionals. Students can get involved in our local chapter by volunteering and helping plan community service and professional development events,” Cayse Overstreet explained.
This years FBLA leadership roles are filled by Atticus Brandes (11) as president, Addyson Nunley (10) as vice president at large, Dylan George (10) and Carson Trussell (10) as vice presidents of membership, Haylee Potter (10) and Oakland Wayne Morrison (12) as vice presidents of communications, Gretta Morris (11) as vice president of community service, Emaley Stallings (11) as secretary, Jackson Martin (12) as treasurer, and Saylor Cowles (12) as reporter.
Overstreet said, “They (members of FBLA) can also get the most out of the club by taking on a leadership role as well as competing in various events.”
Students in FBLA participate in many events, including competitions, a spring blood drive, Manpuff, PowderPuff, and the Winter Games. If you participate or volunteer in any three of these events and pay your FBLA dues you get to go on the end of year incentive trip. This year’s incentive trip is Dolly Parton’s Stampede.
FBLA districts are in Bolivar, Missouri, in February of 2024. Students are preparing for this competition in many different ways. Brandes is preparing by, “studying the links that were provided for him about the events that he is competing in.”
“In my experience, googling Quizlets helps me prepare for questions that could potentially be on a test,” Haylee Potter (10) stated, “There is no way to 100% be prepared for everything that could show up, but there is lots of helpful material out there.”
FBLA competitions help to prepare students for the transition from school to the real world. Most competitions are either directly related to business or are based on experiences that can happen in a professional setting.
“By competing, you can learn public speaking and problem solving skills. Even by just taking a test for competition, you can learn more about the business side of math or even agriculture,” Nunley explained, “FBLA helps students build resumes for their college applications and job interviews.”
FBLA will be traveling to districts in February, state in April, and nationals in June and July. Districts are located in Bolivar, Missouri, and state in Springfield, Missouri. Nationals are in Orlando, Florida. “I am excited to compete this year,” Potter exclaimed.
