After qualifying at regional competition, three members of Tyrone High School’s Future Business Leaders of America have reached the next level and will attend the 2003 Pennsylvania FBLA State Leadership Conference April 7, 8 and 9 at the Seven Springs Resort.
Junior Ashley Gummo and seniors Austin Lynn and J. D. Shaw will accompany FBLA chapter adviser Mrs. Sara Gardner to the conference, scheduled for the beginning of next week. This is the first FBLA state competition for each of the students and they will be competing with representatives from other Pennsylvania FBLA chapters for awards and recognition. Gummo qualified to compete in the category of computer application; Lynn will compete in accounting II; and Shaw will compete in marketing.
Mrs. Gardner explained the trip is an exciting experience for the students. During the conference, they will have the opportunity to meet with students from other schools, learn business procedures and compete in their respective categories. All students are required to dress in business attire for events unless otherwise specified.
“Ashley and J. D. are voting delegates. They will have to vote on various issues of the state FBLA, state rules and procedures,” said Mrs. Gardner of other activities planned for the conference. “All the students have workshops to attend. They have to compete again, and then attend some general meetings.”
In addition to the category in which each student qualified for the state conference, there is an open competition in which students can choose to participate. There are about 10 different subjects to choose from, such as insurance, business ethics or knowledge of Pennsylvania FBLA policies and procedures. If students win in one of these events, they are recognized at the awards ceremony.
Also at the awards ceremony, Habitat for Humanity, the recipient of this year’s State Project for FBLA, will be given a monetary contribution to be used toward the organization’s programs in Pennsylvania. Chapters of FBLA have taken the entire school year to raise money for Habitat for Humanity.
Mrs. Gardner is proud of her students and of their accomplishments. She said the state conference is the culminating activity for this year’s FBLA activities at Tyrone.
“They’ve done a nice job. They’ve been very responsible and taken an interest in what they’ve been doing,” she said. “I’m really proud of what they’ve done, and I hope they have a good time at the competition.”
