Fourteen Santa Maria High School Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) participated in competitive events at the State Leadership Conference April 11-14.
The Saints competed in various business and financial, entrepreneurship and software systems development career paths. More than 2,000 FBLA students attended the competition inside the Anaheim Hilton and Convention Center.
There were many opportunities over the course of the conference to attend leadership workshops, network with other members, observe student performances in competitive events, and listen to an inspiring keynote speaker, KD Wilson (educator and author).
“This year’s SLC was an amazing opportunity where I got to reconnect with friends from other conferences, build new relationships, and celebrate the work we’ve all put into our respective chapters this year. Having this experience at SLC allowed me to bid farewell to the organization that, for four years, was one of the most transformative organizations that has shaped who I am today. I thank FBLA and everyone in it for an unforgettable experience,” said club president Abraham Carrillo-Galindo.
“This state conference was the last one with my FBLA family. Being able to learn more about business, meet new people, and explore Anaheim was the highlight of this conference learning experience. Although my time with this organization is almost up, I hope that, whether through FBLA or other organizations, students can create memories with a family, just like I did with the FBLA,” said club secretary, Marisol Villegas -Ramirez, senior.
“The four days at SLC have been a great learning experience for me, both through what I’ve learned and the people I met. Throughout the four days, I was able to go experience workshops that were in relation to finances, and I was able to socialize with different people from around the state of California,” said senior, Alexis Vargas. “I was also able to take away different things that I can do for my community from watching performance events, which were events from other members, that were open for anyone to watch. It was very interesting watching these students impact their community with creative ideas.”
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FBLA’s two advisers Alejandra Fulton and Cindy Quaid, along with Career Tech Ed Student Teacher, Jevie Buck, accompanied the students.
Santa Maria High School Chapter was recognized: As “Champion Chapter” for their accomplishments of modeling the ideals of Service, Education and Progress. For their participation and contribution and completion of the Community Fundraising State Service Project where SMHS FBLA members collected and donated $600 to the Maui Fire Fund.
Thirteen students completed the Financial Literacy individual project earning them a financial literacy pin. The project shows a demonstration of financial literacy: Lizbeth Baez-Aviles, Guadalupe Camacho-Palmerin, Cristian Colores-Hernandez, Irene Cruz-Gonzalez, Adriana DeJesus, Alexis Gonzalez, Evan Hoyos, Amy Nova Garcia, Edwin Oceguera-Briceno, Nathan Ochoa, Alejandro Palacios, Ivan Rivera-Garcia, and Nataly Zamora
Three individual members completed the Business Achievement Awards: Lizbeth Baez, Nirvana Humbert Rodriguez, Marisol Villegas-Ramirez
Competitive Event Winner: Abraham Carrillo-Galindo (senior), Computer Applications – 8th place.
Chapter Adviser, Cindy Quaid, was awarded the Gold Coast Section Adviser of the Year.