FBLA members build leadership skills

Effective leadership skills are an important asset to success in any career, especially in the field of business.

To augment their leadership abilities and improve their aptitude for careers in business, LRHS’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) club attended a regional fall conference, also known as a Youth Leadership Summit.

The conference, held on Oct. 18 in Spokane Valley, featured leadership presentations from business professionals. Inspiration can from many sources, including keynote speaker Todd Mielke, CEO of Greater Spokane Incorporated.

The experience perpetuated the development of leaders at LRHS.

FBLA member Emily Rosen reflected, “I learned about how leadership, courage, character, and conduct can be applied to every career and how much you can impact the world with little things.”

Similarly, LRHS Chapter President Jack Anderson recalled, “I attended a presentation where they explained that the average person has 30,000 days to live. Every day should be treated as a new opportunity and be entered with a positive attitude.”

This aligns directly with the mission statement for FBLA and their sister organization for college students, America-Phi Beta Lambda (PBL), which is “to bring business and education together in a positive working relationship through innovative leadership and career development programs.”

To further develop leadership and ultimately achieve their mission, FBLA students will have the opportunity to participate in the National Awards Program, better known as competitive events.

Regarding the purpose of the events, FBLA-PBL’s website explains, “FBLA competitive events…prepare students for successful careers in business by providing opportunities to apply classroom concepts in a workforce-simulated competitive environment.”

Around 250,000 FBLA-PBL members participate in competitive events, which range from coding to interviews to business ethics.

The fall conference inspired many LRHS students to make plans for their own events.

Katheran Gingrich is a prime example: “I would really like to compete in Parliamentary Procedure,” she explained.

Of her motivation, Gingrich continued, “This is a very good competition for leadership, as well as basic skills that will be useful for future situations, like holding a meeting.”

“I’m planning to compete in News Broadcasting and Sales,” reported Rosen. “I want to compete in these because…they’re team events.”

Rosen described her preference of team events over individual or chapter counterparts, “I can work collaboratively with my friends and still do something I’m very interested in.”

“I intend to compete in Digital Video Production,” said Anderson. “This event suits my skills well, and would serve as a way to practice my audio and video technology skills.”

Another of Anderson’s intentions is to repeat his success at the state level. He notes, “I joined FBLA last year because of the competitions. My team had the opportunity to compete and place at the state level, and this year I hope to do even better.”

With new inspiration from the fall conference, Anderson and his fellow FBLA members plan to compete at the winter conference in a few months in hopes of advancing to the state level.

While they prepare, students continue to grow as individuals.

“I joined FBLA for a new experience,” said Gingrich, adding, “I believe it will provide more skills for my future.”

Through leadership development and competitive events, she and others are well on their way.