This year, 25 students from our program represented our school at the FBLA State Leadership Conference, held in Hershey. The conference ran from Sunday through Wednesday, with our full group traveling together starting Monday morning and returning midweek after several full days of competition, workshops, and networking.
Throughout the conference, students competed across a wide range of events, participated in professional development workshops, and engaged with peers from across the state. Time was split between competitive events, sessions in the exhibitor hall, and opportunities to connect with other students who share similar career interests.
Preparation leading up to the conference was extensive. Students committed time to practice presentations, refine materials, and study for objective tests. That preparation translated into strong performances, highlighted by several top placements:
- Belen & Camila — 6th Place, Visual Design
- Prakash & Mandip — 1st Place, Graphic Design***
- Jesse & Gunjan — 1st Place, Networking Design***
***Qualified for the FBLA National Leadership Conference, which will take place in San Antonio this June.
One of the most notable moments of the week came during the closing ceremonies. Our students were fully engaged, supporting and celebrating their classmates as results were announced. That level of focus and team support reflects the culture being built within the program.
In addition to competitions, students attended workshops on topics such as artificial intelligence, supply chain management, and resume development. One student also participated in a stock market simulation event, gaining additional exposure to real-world financial decision-making.
Looking ahead, several students have expressed interest in pursuing leadership roles at the state level next year, which signals continued growth for the program beyond competition results alone.
The trip concluded with a return home on Wednesday, including the group’s annual stop for lunch at Chick-fil-A before arriving back at school.
Students who qualified for nationals will continue preparing as they represent our program on the national stage. If you are interested in supporting our students on their journey to nationals, please contact jchoate@dcts.org.