Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) is the world’s largest career and technical student organization, which guides middle school, high school, and college students to become community-minded business leaders through skill-building, career inquiry, and competitive events in business and many other offering workshops.

This beneficial organization has a mission to bring business and education together as one, which will help students build their practical skills for college and their careers.

On Jan 7, Lakewood High School’s FBLA organization will be having its district competition at the University of Florida’s St. Petersburg campus. 

This competition at USF is the organization’s state qualifier for the presentations and roleplay events. The top four groups in the county will go to states.

This year, for our school’s FBLA population, there are around 40 students competing; competing groups will consist of three students, some up to five, and independent students.

“I feel like many of the students in our school will qualify for the states. I have a lot of confidence that a bunch of them will also win states and qualify for nationals,” said FBLA president Jayden Nguyen.

Despite the “winning” or “losing” outlook on these FBLA events and competitions, there are other benefits students gain by just showing up and participating. 

Students are able to gain active knowledge in areas such as marketing, finance, as well as build essential skills, networking, and even financial literacy. 

Senior Jared Jackson is a member of FBLA. His competition is Technology Support Services, also known as Help Desk, and he prepares for his competition by looking for ways to solve multiple technology issues.

He does not find this area difficult to do, more like a walk in the park. 

“No matter what happens with the results, from this experience, I will be able to gain more customer service skills,” Jackson said.

District results are not revealed until Jan 15.