Courtesy of Tammy English
Averie Cuddy, Mackenzie Addison, Kedrick Gilliam, Karrie English, and Ragan Joyner at their state conference last year.
The Future Business Leaders of America, also known as FBLA, is an amazing opportunity for students to get real-life experience in the world of business! On April 6, eight members of the club will be heading to Chattanooga for their state conference competitions.
The competitions vary in topics, but they all relate to skills used in business professions. “There are about 50 different competitions that students can choose,” said sponsor Tammy English. “They are in categories that have to do with finance, marketing, basic business, and technology.”
FBLA President, senior Karrie English, has attended this conference four times and participated in varying competition topics. Through these trips, Karrie has enjoyed making connections with people from all over the state and been able to get advice from different perspectives.
“[The best] part of competing in state is getting to meet so many new people while learning so much about an interesting field,” said Karrie.
While the main goal of FBLA is to build confidence in the business field, that’s not what it’s all about. Ragan Joyner, senior and vice president, feels the most important part of the club is that it builds solidarity between potential professional colleagues, and creates a healthy competitive environment meant to improve young leaders of America.
“Everybody [is] being encouraging and it’s a kind of community,” said Joyner, “[We’re all] trying to be better leaders.”