FBLA Students Achieve Competitive Success at State Conference

Sonia Wang

Freshmen Hailey Chang, Alex Ding and Edward Hoi pose for a photo after qualifying for national competition by placing within the top four within their respective categories. “There are so many people here, and they all look so professional,” Chang said. “So it was kind of intimidating. But at the same time, after doing FBLA districts and placing in my event, I knew that I had a chance.”

Ten students from Portola High’s business program competed in the Future Business Leaders of America State Leadership Conference from April 24-27 in Anaheim. Three freshmen qualified for the National Leadership Conference taking place in the summer.

“I’m just proud of how our students were able to do really well this year, especially a lot of the underclassmen,” FBLA vice president and senior Keon Lee said. “Last year, we mostly just had upperclassmen qualifying [for NLC], but this year we had a lot of underclassmen who qualified.”

Freshman Hailey Chang placed third in Introduction to Business Concepts and Introduction to Marketing Concepts, and freshmen Edward Hoi and Alex Ding placed third and fourth in Introduction to Financial Math, respectively.

“The best part was going up to that stage, hearing my name, shaking the state officer’s hand and getting the award, and just looking out at all of those people,” Chang said. “It’s kind of amazing to know that you’re in front of them, they’re listening to your name right now, they’re watching you and that it’s all on you.”

Participants are able to compete in over 90 business events at the state conference, according to California FBLA. The events range from multiple choice tests, business role plays and projects prepared in advance that are then presented in front of a panel of judges. Events such as scavenger hunts were also hosted by FBLA to foster communication between participants, according to FBLA competitor and sophomore Anusha Jauhri.

“[FBLA] was definitely very confusing at first because I didn’t know where to go or what to do, but you definitely make so many friends,” Jauhri said. “I think that it’s more fun to be able to talk to people and to be able to collaborate and network.”

In the future, the business program hopes to continue sending students to NLC and increasing the number of students who participate in FBLA, according to Lee.

Donate to Portola Pilot

$235

$500

Contributed

Our Goal

Your donation will support the student journalists of Portola High School. Your contribution will allow us to purchase equipment and cover our annual website hosting costs.

About the Contributor

Sonia Wang, Features Editor

Sonia Wang is the Features Editor and a Business Manager for her third and final year on the Portola Pilot. This year, she plans to utilize her skills to make as much money for the Pilot as possible. When she’s not chasing down interview sources or trying to find advertisers, you can find her reading a good fantasy book, journaling or trying to take a much-needed nap.