Congratulations are in order to Miami Beach Senior High Future Business Leaders of America students, who took home 33 trophies at the District competition. These outstanding students will be travelling to Orlando for the State Leadership Conference and competition at the end of April.
Members of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), the world’s largest business student organization, participate in business competition and engage in service projects in the school and community. In order to outperform the competition and make it to States, members must hit the books for their events, which range from Public Speaking to Entrepreneurship, Business Communications to Sports Management. In the weeks before Districts, FBLA members pored over their business textbooks, took practice tests, and practiced solving real-life business problems. Beach High FBLA President Gabriela Lins facilitated the study process by organizing meetings and pairing newer with more senior members to train them in their competitions.
“Having the board members assist the competitors with their events played a tremendous role in the success of our chapter this year,” said Lins, who will be competing in the Client Service competition at States.
Beach High did achieve impressive success, even in the face of much larger FBLA chapters like Mater Academy and Coral Gables High. Also contributing to Beach High’s accomplishment was the significant crossover from other school clubs and academies. Debate Club members Willy Chertman and Patrick Quinlan, juniors, competed at FBLA Districts and placed first in the Emerging Business Issues competition, advocating government subsidies to environmentally conscious businesses. Because the team had experience in debate, they were able to apply their skills to a business situation.
“Students who typically would not have wanted to pursue a career in business were able to bring a new perspective and, in the process, learn about the integral role of business in any career,” said Lins.
Beach High students also placed first in such competitions as Business Math, Business Communications, Business Procedures, Marketing, and Parliamentary Procedures, among others.
FBLA members also have the opportunity to pursue community service projects and submit reports, which are judged and awarded at the State competition. Last year, the Beach High Partnership with Business project placed first at States and moved onto the National competition.
This year, Vice President Lucia Rynka, whose team of three placed first in the Management Decision Making competition, is spearheading a partnership with the Bass Museum, along with Miami Beach Senior High art student Allie Perry and a committee of students. The event is called “Art for Heart”, and it will combine entertainment and health into a day fit for the whole family. On February 27, heart-themed works of art created by Beach High art students will be displayed at the Bass Museum, and the top pieces will be awarded. Event-goers will have the opportunity to learn about health and fitness, view student art, explore innovative approaches to fitness like the interactive video game Dance Dance Revolution, and attend a health-themed Bass Museum Family Day. Local health-conscious businesses have provided sponsorships.
“Allie and I hope to promote not only the importance of art, but also the necessity of being in good shape and having a healthy heart,” said Rynka. “With art, anything can be taught.”
