FBLA prepares students for successful citizenship
Bonnie Bost
What do the Governor of
Mississippi, former First Lady Patricia Nixon, and former Dallas Cowboy
Quarterback Troy Aikman have in common?
All were FBLA members.
Future Business Leaders of
America (FBLA), is a national vocational student association for students in
grades 7-12 who are interested in business or business education careers. More than 4000 students in more then
100 high schools in Nebraska take part in the program. Benefits of FBLA are business
proficiencies, community responsibility, leadership skills, and
self-confidence.
Marian's FBLA is led by Mrs. Cheryl O'Neill. Thirty-seven people are currently
involved with the club. The club meets once a month on Thursday mornings. "Anyone is eligible to join,"
said O'Neill, "but it helps to be enrolled in one of the business classes
or have an interest in a business-related career."
FBLA participates in many
activities. Professional
activities like guest speakers, business visits and shadowing experiences
provide members with a business connection to the future. Marian's FBLA takes a yearly trip to
the National Business Conference, which was held Nov. 6-9, 2003, in
Indianapolis.
One of the most important
goals of FBLA is to develop leadership qualities in its members. Participation in FBLA as a member,
committee chairperson, or officer provides experiences that contribute to the
development of a positive self-image and feeling of accomplishment.
"One of the main lead
roles given to girls is the opportunity to do service projects and finding
guest speakers," said O'Neill.
"Another way for the girls to develop leadership qualities is to
see leadership exhibited in others.
The keynote speakers and state officers from 17 states at the
Indianapolis conference were wonderful examples of these qualities. Keynote
speakers at the conferences are motivational and offer tips that help students
to overcome hurdles in their lives."
FBLA also participates in
community and service activities.
Marian's FBLA members can sign up for community service activities like
Habitat for Humanity, which builds homes for needy families. Activities such as these develop
character and prepare students for useful citizenship.
FBLA is also involved with
the creation of the senior video. The senior video committee is made up of
eight seniors: Melissa Mullin,
Megan Hutchinson, Brigitte Moland, Serenna LeBron, Katie Mehal and Kerry
Steinbaugh. The group is responsible for collecting and scanning pictures and
getting ideas for the music from classmates. They are also in charge of taking movie clips of the senior
class, and obtaining yearbook and newspaper photos of senior activities.
Senior Melissa Mullin is
captain of the senior video committee.
"I decided to do senior video because I have been involved with
FBLA for four years, and not many people volunteered to help on the video, so I
decided to become involved," said Mullin. "My favorite part so far has been brainstorming as a
group and thinking of great ideas to use for the video."
Mullin has high hopes for
the senior video. "I think
that it is going to come out great because we have a great committee of
hard-working girls with a lot of great ideas."
Even those who are not sure
they want to go into business can benefit from being in FBLA. "FBLA may
open a student's eyes to an opportunity they didn't know was there," said
Mrs. O'Neill. "It's great for
self-improvement and personal enrichment."
Involvement in FBLA is a
great way for students to strengthen their confidence in themselves and their
work, develop character, and prepare for useful citizenship.