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Students petition commissioners for funding assistance

Student-leaders with the Lowndes County Career Technical Centers Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) caught a glimpse of government operations Tuesday, May 13, by attending a Lowndes County Commission meeting. The club’s instructor, Bridget Davis, informed the commission and citizens about the group’s successful year and upcoming opportunities, requesting commissioners’ assistance with the cost of attending the FBLA National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, California.

According to Davis, the students are working to raise the funds needed to attend the conference June 28 – July 3. Out of the 27 eligible, 24 are planning to attend if the group can raise the roughly $30,000, $1,500 per student, still needed to cover costs.

“Our CTE director, Shameka Baker, allocated $20,000 [for the trip],” Davis said. “We are trying to do fundraisers for the rest.”

During the meeting, commissioners promised to help in some way, but did not pass a motion to appropriate a particular amount of money. Meanwhile, leaders with the Lowndes County Economic Development Board invited Davis and FBLA students to a meeting held Monday afternoon to present their request for assistance.

Davis said attending the commission meeting gave students a first-hand look at government operations as well as the efforts needed to secure funding for school programs.

“Being there showed them how a meeting like that goes, how [one] can be called up to talk about what they need to talk about,” Davis said. “It shows them the other side besides what they see in the classroom and how to talk and ask for help and support.”

During the commission meeting, Davis introduced two FBLA leaders recently elected to state offices — Aziya Flynn, elected as the 2025-2026 Alabama FBLA state president and JaKayden Seawright elected as the District 4 vice president. She also invited community members to help students attend the conference.

“As we prepare for this life-changing experience, we are seeking the support of our local business community,” David said in an open letter to community members. “We kindly ask you to consider making a monetary donation or financial contribution to help offset the costs associated with travel, lodging, registration and other necessary expenses for our students.”

In other business, the commission:

* Thomas Ellis and Tucson Roberts with the Lowndes County Industrial Development Board requested the commission enter executive session to discuss a potential project in Bragg and

* Approved a proposal for $100,000 to renovate bathrooms in the courthouse, courthouse annex and county shop offices as a public works project.

The Lowndes County Commission’s next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday due to the Memorial Day holiday. The meeting is set for May 27 at 6 p.m.