By: Alyssa Cantu
LDI is a leadership Development Institute, a business convention that was held at Santa Clara this year on October 20 – 21. During LDI students have the opportunity to go to workshops were they learn aspects on business. From learning about public speaking, creating pitches, and how to deal with stress, LDI’s workshop are very well rounded. Young business leaders that were able to go learn many different skills to use to get a job or just in the world.
Ali Mashel, ‘20, was one of the students in FBLA that was able to participate in the activities, he said, “I decided to come to learn more about FBLA and to become a better human being in general.” People all around from Northern California come to the business convention to learn and enhance their business skills. Mashel, ‘20, says, “I learned how be a better leader, how to lead people efficiently and why water is wet.”
This year welcomed new members to LDI, one being Anaka Kinosian, ‘21. LDI brought new skills and knowledge to the FBLA members who attended. Kinosian, ‘21, said “I enjoyed LDI because I was able to meet a lot of new people and new lessons for life.” It taught her valuable lessons that she can carry out throughout her life and career.She also said, “I decided to come to meet new people and learn new things.” Overall, she is glad to gain the experience she had.
There are many workshops that are held at the convention that inform interested students on the inside of business culture. Abbie Linhares, ‘20, a section officer held a workshop that taught the fundamentals of persuasion. She said, “I enjoyed being able to see new crowds in my workshop every time and not only being able to connect with the students in the room but with advisors as well.” With every new face it opens the door for people to learn information about the future career options. Even though Linhares, ‘20, has attended LDI before everyone still expands their knowledge. She states, “I learned that sometime you have to step outside of your comfort zones even if your not comfortable.”
However, students that have attended LDI form previous years came back to the conference this year. One being Jessica Abarca , ‘21, she stated “During LDI I made lot of connections with many people and learned a lot about business.” Along with learning about business you also learn things about yourself throughout the trip. From learning what profession you want to go into to learning about the hidden social skills you have. Abarca, ‘21, also said “I decided to come to expand my leaderships skills for future years on the FBLA officer team.” She has high hopes for FBLA this year and the following.
An advisor from Redwood’s FBLA is Ms. Saputo, she came along with her students to the trip and was able to see it at a different angle. Saputo said, “My favorite part was just watching go guys travel to different workshop and being excited about everything you learned.” Saputo also has high hopes for future years in FBLA and stated “I liked how so many underclassmen joined which is not very tipally and so I hope that continues throughout the years.” In the long run all the hard work the advisors put into FBLA pay off for their students.
LDI allows students for bay, central, and northern section to attend. As well as Redwood attending it Merced High School did also. Christian Lopez, ‘20, spoke on the topic of LDI and said, “Personally it was my first time there and I thought I was the best experience I’ve had all of high school, it has given me the ability to meet and network with people my age from all over California.” Things like this bring people together to build memories from high school. Lopez, ‘20, also said “I was able to learn new things about how to run my chapter.” Additionally it brought new ideas to help them with their further FBLA career.
Ayden Peralta, ‘19, from Trinity High School in the Northern section was able to attend the conference again. He said “I thought it was good and the workshops were interesting, but it wasn’t as good as previous years and a lot of people we not able to attend the workshops they wanted.” Although, people weren’t able to make it so workshops they wanted to go to they still made the best of it and went to their second choice. With a growing number of members joining, the more the workshops were filled but Peralta, ‘19, said “ however the workshops were good and informative.”
At LDI there are many things for the young business leaders. During opening session where the sections officers from the bay, central and northern introduce themselves and all the things planned for the weekend. After everything was introduced Jake Kelfer a speaker, founder and author came to speak there. Kelfer said, “My favorite part about speaking at LDI was being able to share some stories, have some fun, but really to just engage with us guys. It’s always an honor to be able to speak with people in FBLA organization because you guys are really the future and if I have any part helping you figure out what your future might look like it’s a pretty cool thing for me.” With shaping the future he also has hopes to spread a message. He stated “My advice I would give to a student is to have fun along life’s journey. Life can be hard, life can be tough but if we try have fun try to have good people around us and if we take action we will be able to have a really good time” Jake Kelfer has inspired and moved many people to chase their dreams and to achieve their goals. Everyone is very grateful for the insight he shared through his stories.
Even though everything didn’t go as planned everyone made the best of the conference. From meeting friends, getting out of your comfort zones, and most importantly learning how to be a business leader. These are the memories and knowledge they we never forgot.
If you are interested about FBLA, visit their website at www.redwoodfbla.org or on Twitter at @RedwoodFBLA_. You can also stop by Room 74 and meet Mr. Avila and find out when the next meeting is.
WOW! This makes me wish I was there