By: Isabel Barycki and Bella Aldridge
During April, Future Business Leaders of American [FBLA] had their final competition in Sacramento for this school year with nationals being a possibility for students over the summer.
FBLA has won many awards this year, such as 20 top 10 awards given in competitive events at the State Leadership Conference. This year FBLA’s chapter has won the Doris Lowe sweepstakes for the tenth year in a row at the Central Section Leadership Conference.
FBLA Leadership Partner Jake Bettencourt, ’25 says in the last competition, the team “had one person get state championship” with many more students placing in their events.
Overall, Bettencourt says, “My membership of FBLA has been a lot of fun [and] it is one of the things I feel very involved in at Redwood.”
Secretary and Treasurer Chloe Seals, ’25 says, “I am grateful to have placed 5th in the state at this year’s state conference.”
Seals says “I have been a member of FBLA for two years now and I am confident to say I would not be who I am today without it.”
Photo Courtesy of Seals
Seals has had a successful year this year in FBLA and says FBLA has provided her with “opportunities of serving the local community with various community service projects and connecting with local businesses.”
Seals says “It has enriched my high school experience tremendously. From conferences to chapter meetings, I never fail to have fun.”
“From networking to service competitions, I believe there is a spot for everyone in FBLA,” says Seals.
Many FBLA members such as President Donya Akhavon, ’23 says, “The competition season has been great.”
Akhavon says, “I placed first in Business Communications at our section competition that took place in Madera Highschool. I am also a state finalist for 2 state projects; Business Financial Plan with Seth Cano and Lindamarie Herrera, and Digital Animation with Tyler Patterson.”
As the year wraps up FBLA also holds its officer elections. “I along with Mr. Aliva, our advisor, and the rest of the senior officers will be holding interviews to access potential candidates for the 2023-2024 Redwood FBLA officer team,” she says.
Akhavon says, “Accompanied with that will be a voting portion, where candidates will vouch for themselves in front of an audience. The interview portion counts for 50% of the election process and the voting portion counts for the other 50% of the election process.”
To stay updated on the latest details, contact the officer team through their Remind or visit their Instagram @redwoodfbla.
Isabel Barycki
Isabel Barycki,´26 is a second year journalism member. Inside room 207 you can find her writing for the Features section for the Redwood Gigantea.
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