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The Lowndes County Career Technical Center’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) attended the Alabama FBLA State Leadership Conference (SLC) in Mobile on April 16 – 17. The students competed in an array of categories, displaying the experience and skills they are acquiring through the national leadership program.

Three chapter members — Aziya Flynn, Ayala Johnson and Jakayden Seawright — campaigned for state leadership positions. Aziya Flynn was elected Alabama FBLA State President and Jakayden Seawright was elected District 4 Vice President.

Career Tech business instructor and FBLA advisor Bridget Davis said the Lowndes County chapter boasts four years of having students hold state offices. This year, with two elected to state offices, Davis said she can see firsthand how holding those offices enforces leadership skills students are learning at the center.

‘I think it gives them motivation, knowing anything is possible and they can do whatever they set their minds to,” Davis said.

Aziya Flyn said she was inspired to run for the office of state president because of having witnessed other Lowndes County students who worked for and achieved statewide success.

“Just seeing them on stage and networking with people, developing skills such as communication, leadership and being able to speak publicly inspired me,” Flynn said. “When I first came to high school, that was not something I thought I could do. Seeing how FBLA made an impact on people’s lives made me want to experience that as well.”

The chapter received awards and was recognized as Largest Chapter Attending SLC, Chapter of Distinction, Gold Seal Chapter Award of Merit, $500 March of Dimes Award and Blueprint for Success Outstanding Level Award.

Individual competition winners are:

First-place: Accounting I – Derricka Hunter, Advertising – Kolaiah Blackmon, Computer Problem Solving – Jakayden Seawright, Economics – Zarrilly Bibb, Insurance & Risk Management – Jasmine Hill, Introduction to Information Technology – Ladarious Rudolph, Introduction to Parliamentary Procedure – Kenyatta Mason and Personal Finance – Janyale Harris.

Second-place winners: Introduction to Business Concepts – Tytianna White, Introduction to FBLA – Kendarius McPherson, Introduction to Information Technology – Alayshia Dudley, Introduction to Parliamentary Procedure – Joshua Cain, Journalism – CB Grant, Organizational Leadership – Aziya Flynn and Sports and Entertainment Management – Gavin Brazil and Mondrell Hill.

Third-place winners: Healthcare Administration – Zikyra Shuford, Human Resource Management – Ayala Johnson, Introduction to Business Concepts – Zamyia Grant, Introduction to FBLA – Myia Porterfield and Visual Design – Ayokunla McCall, Haigler Johnson and Joshua Simmons.

Fourth place winners: Healthcare Administration – Martavius Marshall, Sports and Entertainment Management – Dramon Johnson, Jaden Middleton and Jadarius Gordon.

Jakayden Seawright, recently elected to his first statewide office, said he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his peers who held offices before him. Campaigning for the office required him to step outside his comfort zone and network to accomplish his goal.

“I had to officiate things and associate with my campaign managers,” he said. “That prepared me for what i’m going to be doing in the future and helped me learn how to talk to people. It helped me learn to communicate better and find resolutions to situations that make people happy.

Attending the competitions enables the students to practice what they have learned, Davis said. The chapter is headed next to the FBLA National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, California from June 29 – July 2 and will be raising money to fund the trip.