On Tuesday, November 18th, Fallston’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) students competed in the Northeastern Regional Conference at Bel Air High School. 20 students qualified for states in their respective categories.
During the conference, the students competed, attended workshops, and networked among like-minded peers. Following the competitions came awards, where Fallston students were crowned region champions in eight categories.
At regionals, there are three ways to compete: objective tests, presentations, or role-plays. Objective tests are taken at Fallston, and the rest are conducted through in-person judging.
Last year was Fallston’s first year competing in FBLA competitions, and at their inaugural regional conference, they had only “two wonderful students compete” in-person, as their advisor Mr. Jason Bellamy said.
This year, this number rose to just under 20 in-person competitors and 40 competitors overall. With over 25 schools in attendance, Fallston ranked 3rd in awards.
This event is a “great resume builder” for students, as Mr. Bellamy adds, and is “especially wonderful to put on your resume if you have a top four finish.”
With these top four finishes, the students placing qualified for states, which will take place in March in Ocean City, Maryland. Here, students will compete against schools across the state in hopes of making it to nationals.
“Getting over the nervousness of doing it for the first time,” is Mr. Bellamy’s advice to students advancing to states. “Once they participate and see the conference, and the judges, and the format, and how it goes, they’re much more comfortable,” he adds.
States will be held from Wednesday, March 11th, to Friday, March 13th. If Fallston students qualify, they can advance to nationals in June in Texas.
