Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) is a student-led organization that offers many opportunities to develop leadership skills, business knowledge, community service, and much more in the youth of Wythe County. Each year the student members of the area high school chapters develop aggressive platforms to accomplish these goals.
Once again, our high school chapters had successful years. During this school year, chapters have worked to contribute to the VA FBLA Foundation, to Project ASK (an organization that battles childhood cancer in Virginia), to the Ronald McDonald House Charities, and to the March of Dimes March for Babies. Aside from that, these chapters have been active in other service projects that benefit Wytheville, Wythe County, and beyond.
In February and March, our local high school chapters competed within the region in about 70 events to earn the opportunity to compete at the state level. In early April, those members competed at the Virginia FBLA State Conference in Reston, Virginia.
The George Wythe participants came home with several accolades that included: Tasi Kapranos–5th place—Impromptu Speaking, Willow Delp–5th place–Introduction to FBLA, Heidi Pulliam–3rd place—Electronic Career Portfolio, Audrey Angles; Willow Delp –3rd place–Local Chapter Annual Business
Report, Emerson Hardin; Alyssa Spangler-3rd Place- Introduction to Business Presentation, and Maggie Simons–first place–Word Processing.
In addition, Lyndsay Clark was awarded a $1,000 Frank Manning Peele Scholarship. The team also won Honor Chapter and First place Project ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation (highest donation in the state).
Students who finished in the top 4 in their respective events at the Virginia FBLA State Leadership Conference are invited to compete at the national level at the National Leadership Conference. Three students (Heidi Pulliam, Maggie Simons, and Audrey Angles) are currently working to raise funds to attend the national conference in Atlanta, GA which will be held June 27 -30.
The current goal to fund the trip is $3,000 which includes lodging, registration, meals and travel. Donations are tax deductible, community support is welcomed and appreciated to help the group realize this goal. Questions can be directed to the advisor, L. E. Younger, at [email protected] or 276-228-3157. Tax deductible donations can be made payable to GWHS FBLA (conference expenses will be paid through George Wythe High School) and sent to Attention L. E. Younger at #1 Maroon Way Wytheville, VA 24382.
