Southampton High School students win at FBLA State Leadership Conference
Published 9:50 pm Monday, April 24, 2023
Pictured are the Southampton High School FBLA teams at the State Leadership Conference in Reston. (Photo submitted by Melissa Edwards)
From left, Southampton High School’s Jordyn Robertson and Meredith Belcher placed first at the state and regional levels in the Introduction to Business Presentation event. (Photo submitted by Melissa Edwards)
Southampton High School senior Whitman Clark showcases the FBLA Honor Chapter Award for Southampton High School. (Photo submitted by Melissa Edwards)
Celebrating having placed first at the regional level and third at the state level in the Public Service Announcement event are, from left, Southampton High School students Mariah Smith, Gabriella Outlaw and Kayla Golden. (Photo submitted by Melissa Edwards)
Presenting their awards after placing first in the region and third in the state in the Publication Design event are, from left, Adriana Turner, Kiara Diggs and Corey Ricks, all of Southampton High School. (Photo submitted by Melissa Edwards)
Placing first in the Graphic Design event at the regional level were Graclyn Hinson, left, and Bailey Howell, both of Southampton High School. (Photo submitted by Melissa Edwards)
Southampton High School’s Isabella Edwards served on the state officer team as the state vice president representing the Colonial Region for the 2022-23 term. (Photo submitted by Melissa Edwards)
Southampton High School’s Natasha Melbye, left, and Isabella Edwards placed first in the Business Financial Plan event at the regional level and second in the same event at the state level. (Photo submitted by Melissa Edwards)
From left, Southampton High School’s Christian Spivey, Israel Key and Justin Preau celebrate after placing first in the region and fifth in the state in the Digital Video Production event. (Photo submitted by Melissa Edwards)
Placing first in the Broadcast Journalism event at both the state and regional levels were Southampton High School’s John Whitman Clark and Christopher Jordan Jr. (Photo submitted by Melissa Edwards)
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The Southampton Career and Technical Education co-curricular club, affiliated with Future Business Leaders of America, recently had great success competing at the regional and state levels of FBLA.
A Southampton High School news release stated that the FBLA is an organization that prepares students to become community-minded business leaders through relevant career preparation and leadership experiences.
Southampton students competed in presentation-style competitions in various areas. Some competitions had prejudged components such as financial plans and videos that were scored along with the in-person presentations. All competitions were judged by business professionals, and students were able to interact with the judges to get helpful feedback and networking opportunities.
The FBLA State Leadership Conference had 126 schools present competing in various competitions, and Southampton placed in the top-five in the following events:
- First place state champions, first place regional – Broadcast Journalism: Whitman Clark and Christopher Jordan Jr.;
- First place state champions, first place regional – Introduction to Business Presentation: Meredith Belcher and Jordyn Robertson;
- Second place state, first place regional – Business Financial Plan: Isabella Edwards and Natasha Melbye;
- Third place state, first place regional – Publication Design: Kiara Diggs, Corey Ricks and Adriana Turner;
- Third place state, first place regional – Public Service Announcement: Kayla Golden, Gabriella Outlaw and Mariah Smith;
- Fifth place state, first place regional – Digital Video Production: Israel Key, Justin Preau, and Christian Spivey;
- First place regional – Graphic Design: Graclyn Hinson and Bailey Howell; and
- Leader and Advocate Business Achievement Award and Who’s Who in FBLA Distinction State Level: Isabella Edwards.
FBLA students also attended the following workshops where they gained information and were able to connect with students from around the state: Look the Part – Dressing Like a Professional, Project Ask Foundation, College Application Strategy, Advocacy and Public Speaking, Getting Involved in College, and How to Win the Day – Prioritizing Your Life.
Southampton High School student Isabella Edwards developed the workshop “Advocacy and Public Speaking” and has presented this workshop to groups of FBLA students at the State Leadership Conference, the Colonial Region Fall Conference, and the State Fall Leadership Conference.
She was also recognized as she served on the state officer team as the state vice president representing the Colonial Region for the 2022-23 term.
The Southampton Chapter of FBLA was also recognized as the only honor chapter in the region.
The Southampton High School advisers for FBLA are Charisse Cooper and Quiena Diggs. Melissa Edwards and Natasha Preau serve as the Colonial Region co-directors and advisers.
The year is not over for the students as they prepare for the National Leadership Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.
