By: Alyssa Cantu and Makenzie Collins
Last Thursday, on April 25th, Redwood’s FBLA students left to go to the State Leadership Competition in Sacramento and arrived back to campus on the 28th. There was over 2,300 students from all over California. From Southern to Central Section, everyone tried their best to place for their school. Redwood placed 9th place over all out of 96 schools. The four FBLA advisers; Mrs. Moore, Ms. Saputo, Mr. Henshaw and Mr. Avila, are very proud of Redwood students and have very high hopes for future years.
At this year’s 2019 FBLA State Conference, the keynote speaker was Carlos Ojeda Jr. Odeja is the CEO and creative force behind an organization called Coolspeak– a youth engagement company. Ojeda said, “I didn’t get into [speaking], it got into me.” Growing up the way he did, Ojeda felt that after revisiting his old neighborhood and seeing kids go down the same path that he experienced, he wanted to what he could to help. Ojeda said, “I would go speak to the kids. Turned out, I was kind of funny. And the kids kind of thought I was funny and they liked it and would listen. Before long I started speaking in different places.”
“Someone invited me to come speak at a conference & they offered me $500. I said I would have done it for a plate of food.”
Carlos Ojeda Jr. 2019
Despite already having a paid job, Ojeda felt that this was his opportunity to give back. The reaction he got from the students when he first spoke, fueled the fire of his passion which transformed it into it becoming his profession. Ojeda was excited when he first heard that he was being asked to speak to students involved in Future Business Leaders of America. Ojeda said, “I wish there was an FBLA, or that I knew of an FBLA when I was a kid.”
“It would have really helped me. I was an entrepreneur even though I didn’t know what the meaning of the word was.”
Carlos Ojeda Jr. 2019
He was excited to instill the idea into the younger population that their ideas have a force behind them that can become the future. Without truly realizing it, adolescents have ideas with so much potential to impact not only future businesses, but the future as a whole.
Ojeda wants people to realize that labels do not define who or what you can accomplish. We all have the power to defy those labels given to us by others, and identify the way that we choose to.
“Your voice is your power. With that voice it can ask questions and questions give them answers and answers gives them knowledge and knowledge gives them power.”
Carlos Ojeda Jr. 2019
One speaker may not be able to relate to an entire crowd. Not everyone shares similar experiences and not one person will relate to a topic as strongly, if at all, as another student. With this in mind, Ojeda likes to incorporate a variety of topics in order to branch out to as much of his audience as he can. Ojeda said, “[I] cover a bunch of different things…I’ve shared parts of my life in a manner that at least every kid in there will relate to at least one part of it.”
“My presentations tend to be about leadership and finding yourself and finding your voice.”
Carlos Ojeda Jr. 2019
“I think FBLA is a really unique organization on campus. There’s just so many different, cool aspects to it. It gives students a lot of opportunities to grow and have fun.”
Tania Jiroudi, 2019
Tania Jiroudi, ‘19, has been a proud member of Future Business Leaders of America since her Freshman year at Redwood High School– totaling a four year involvement. Jiroudi has been a Chapter as well as Section Officer for 3 years prior to her role as the Chapter and Section President for the 2018-19 school year. In addition to this, she was the California State FBLA Vice President. Her extensive involvement has opened the door for Jiroudi to attend Leadership Summits, throw together conferences and many more. Jiroudi said, “It can definitely be stressful and overwhelming at times, especially when it’s competition season. I’ve learned how to balance it with my other extracurriculars & my schooling.” FBLA creates new opportunities for students to interact with others they otherwise would have not the chance to. Jiroudi said, “There are so many different types of people in FBLA– whether it be students or adults.¨
“It’s been learning how to work with all different types of leadership styles and all different types of personalities & still get along with people and collaborate with them.”
Tania Jiroudi, 2019
Not only is FBLA valued by Jiroudi, but also many others involved in the club, as well as the advisers. The involvement from students and the passion the advisers share with everyone, makes FBLA a really unique and diverse organization on campus.
Mr. Avila, Business Department Chair, was thrilled with all the wins Redwood was able to get. Saying “last year we placed 5th place and this year we still paced top 10 with is a huge accomplishment.” With over 2,300 students at the event Redwood brought about 70 to compete against all the FBLA around California. He added “my goal for next year is to continue to place top 10.” Along with Mr. Avila’s high hopes for next year the other advisors feel the same way. One being Ms. Saputo, FBLA advisor and english teacher, who was able to attend this year’s conference. Ms. Saputo told us, “I feel happy with the place that we got, they hadn’t scored in the top 10 since the 80s and to do it two years in a row is a very big accomplish.” All the advisors are very proud of the students this year and for next years coming.
Kyle Tran, ‘20, from Pitman High School is this years Vice President of Central Section has been in FBLA since his freshman year. State was a step towards people’s future for their career, where you learn the fundamental for the business industry. Tran talked about the topic saying, “over the past three years in FBLA, my leadership, character, and presenting skills have developed tremendously. As a freshman, I was EXTREMELY SHY. But after my first state conference, I quickly decided to join the local officer team to help out.” With being on the Central Section team is a huge honor that taught a lot of new things for he. Saying, “being part of that officer team meant presenting in front of students, teachers, board members, businessmen and businesswomen. It’s something I’ve had to grow accustomed to and I’d say it’s helped me grow in the long run.” Though this year is the Vice President of CS the year of 2020 Kyle Tran will be the next President of CS.
Another Student that attended was Parneet Sahota,’20, from Cesar E Chavez from Delano. Saying, “I’ve been in FBLA for 2 years now and this was my second year going to state. I did political science as an event.” Along with Parneet students from all over come to take adjective test, group events, and speaking events. The topics of the test vary for what they placed in section. With Kyle Tran, Parneet also got a spot of the CS team. Speaking on the topic she said, “I got installed at CS secretary and i’ve come a long way from my FBLA journey.” Sahota plans to make next year unforgettable as she represents the CS.
The Gold Coast Section attend this year as well. Aaron Sou, ‘20, had a lot to speak about the topic saying, “I personally felt that State Leadership Conference this year was a step up and improved in comparison to the previous year, especially being located in an environment that provided ample opportunity to explore and bond with my chapter and meet new people.” Everyone is very grateful for all the hard work that goes into the state competition and is glad to see it all pay out for the weekend. Additionally, stating, “Future Business Leaders of America provided the opportunities to develop leadership, professionalism, organization, time management, and public speaking that I have taken and implemented throughout my daily lifestyle.” Not only is FBLA a club but it is a way from young students eager to have experience in the work field see their passion come to life.
Out of about 70 students Henry Lam, ‘21, was able to attend this year’s conference. Most students go to state not knowing what is it all about if it’s their first year. Lam stated, “For the most part it’s what I expected for state. I just thought that state was just going to be boring but actually it’s fun getting to know people and getting to complete in events. I honestly just wanted to see if I liked it or not, and I enjoyed it A LOT.” It’s a scary thought for some students to go to a different city with not a lot of people you know but meet students who feel the same way as them. Along with that he said, “I’ve gained communication skill, testing skills, and technological skills on how to do the tests and how to get a better score. Also by knowing new people from other cities we can see how we can improve.” Henry Lam and all the other students can now take what they have learned from the competition and use it through their own business career.
Accompanying Redwood was Jayden Perez, ‘20, that has been apart of Redwood’s FBLA since his sophomore year. He said, “It was amazing and I really enjoyed it. I competed in Political Science and didn’t do terrible but I also didn’t place.” With almost 100 schools competing with their top students it is very challenging and competitive to place in that event.
Later adding, “Although I didn’t do as well as I had hoped in my event, I know that next time if I try harder I can get a better outcome.” Among this attitude Redwood’s FBLA can strive for more next state.
Congratulations to all the people that were able to attend state and everyone who placed. Ranger video made a highlight video for everyone to see Redwood’s FBLA power.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Tzi1c59ouI&feature=youtu.be Also, congrats to Abbie Linhares to be elected to State Secretary and farewell to Tania Jiroudi as she ends her year-long term as State VP-Central. If you want to know more about Redwood FBLA and everything they do check out their website. http://www.redwoodfbla.org/
Alyssa Cantu
Tags: competition, fbla, Redwood, redwood fbla, redwood high school, Sacramento, state
