Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) is a student organization that prepares middle school, high school, and college students for careers in business, leadership, and entrepreneurship.  Community service, regular meetings, and competitions allow students to strengthen confidence, develop effective business leadership skills, encourage responsibilities, enhance free enterprise, and promote networking/collaboration. 

FBLA as an organization has been chartered for over 80 years. Hayesville High School has almost always had a charter chapter. When we went to talk with Mrs. Jones about FBLA, she replied with, “When I came to the high school and took over my current role, FBLA charter lapsed for about 5 years when we revived it. The first year we had about 10 members. That was in 2016 it was a very inactive, yearbook photo start only. Only when members like Tia Proctor, Jacob Christiansen, Maverick Imlay, and Norashae Patterson took the lead did we begin competing, and in the school year 2020-2021 we earned a silver seal chapter. For the past 3 years, we have earned and maintained Gold Seal status. Seeking Gold Seal Chapter recognition required we begin competing in 2022-23. We have competed successfully at the Regional, State, and even National levels since 2020.”

As the co-advisors, Mr. Penland and Mrs. Jones have some goals for FBLA members, when asked what those were, they replied with: 

• Developing strong business leadership and teamwork skills
• Gaining confidence in public speaking and presentations
• Building professional relationships and network
• Applying business concepts to the real world
• Demonstrating 21st-century problem-solving skills
• Engaging in meaningful community service projects to develop social responsibility

FBLA as a whole organization has many benefits for its members. Among the many benefits, three stand out; many scholarship opportunities, participation in business competitions, and resume-building experiences.

Tower building in FBLA2024 Ambassadors at Trunk-or-Treat