More than 300 Virginia high school students and their advisers attended the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Shenandoah Region of Virginia 2023 Spring Conference on Feb. 25 at Shenandoah University.
The day was wonderful as students were provided the opportunity to learn from some stellar peers and professionals.”
Charisse Woodward, cooperative coordinator and business teacher, Sherando High School in Frederick County, Virginia; past president of the Virginia Business Education Association; and regional director of the Shenandoah FBLA.
FBLA Shenandoah Regional 2003 Spring Conference gives high school students opportunities for leadership.
Students from 22 high schools, including those from Loudoun, Frederick, Clarke, Shenandoah, Rockingham, Augusta and Albemarle counties, participated in the conference. Many showcased their business acumen and leadership abilities in 19 competitive categories ranging from broadcast journalism, computer game and simulation programming, to data analysis, publications, web and digital design, and more. Competition winners and their advisors will advance to the Virginia FBLA State Leadership Conference to be held on April 1 through April 2 in Reston, Virginia.
When not competing, students participated in workshops on entrepreneurial and business-related topics such as “Side Hustle for Gen Z,” featuring FBLA students Connor Sanders and Ethan Wernecke, both from Stephens City, Virginia, who shared examples of their own entrepreneurial business experiences; “Public Speaking for All Situations,” led by Kaitlin Eddinger of CCO Training Design & Delivery in Winchester, Virginia; and “Social Media” led by Frederick County, Virginia, native, DECA and Phi Beta Lambda (PHL) alumnus, and co-founder of Wholesome Media, Jeremy Linaburg.
Gen Z Financial Expert Ella Gupta, founder of the Initiative for Financial Literacy Exploration (iFLEX), Greenlight ambassador and “Gen Z Money $ense” author, also spoke to the group remotely via Zoom, offering helpful tips and answering students’ questions.
Only at FBLA do students get to compete, learn, and envision their future at one event. It was a great day!”
Charisse Woodward, regional director of the Shenandoah FBLA
According to its website, “FBLA inspires and prepares students to become community-minded business leaders in a global society through relevant career preparation and leadership experiences.” Benefits of membership include leadership development, scholarship programs, and opportunities to compete at the regional, state and national levels. FBLA’s three divisions serve middle school, high school, and college students and the organization offers an alumni network. Learn more at FBLA.
