Beginning April 15th, the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter competed in the 57th annual Florida State Leadership Conference (FSLC) hosted in Orlando at the Peabody Hotel. After FBLA’s district competition back in January, several of its members qualified for the state conference in Orlando. Of the 53 Cavaliers at the conference who competed in their designated events, six placed either first or second, thus, individually qualifying for the 2007 FBLA National Leadership Conference scheduled to be held on June 28th in Chicago, Illinois.

“All the kids were extremely excited about competing. They all studied really hard. I personally am extremely proud of them. We all had a good time and were able to learn some stuff too,” Vincent Andrews, FBLA Chapter President said.

Claudison Azard had a wonderful experience at the state conference. After placing sixth at the district competition, Azard was determined to do well at states.

“I was studying like crazy. I studied all of Spring Break studying, taking notes, and reading the text books. I was even studying on the bus. I was also extremely nervous and I had a little anxiety attack. I was thinking the competition would be fierce,” Azard, sophomore said.

All his hard work and studying paid off when he placed second at FSLC under Stephen Howard, who placed first at district competition in Accounting. At the award ceremony Azard was ecstatic. He has high hopes for nationals.

“We all want the 5,000 scholarship. I want to make first at nationals but I want to make at least top ten. I’ll be happy with anything above 3rd place. It’ll be the first time I even board a plane!” Azard said.

Others who are going to nationals include: Christopher Howard, a sophomore who placed second at FSLC in FBLA Principles and Procedures; Jackie Campuzano a junior who placed in Database Design and Applications; and Kiara Burroughs, a senior who placed first in Electronic Career Portfolio.

Burroughs, a senior who placed first at the conference last year, passed on her role as state secretary to Campuzano this year.

“One of the most exciting things about nationals is that I’m not a state officer, so I get to have a lot more free time. I had a lot of fun last year as secretary, but this year I get a chance to unwind,” Burroughs said.

Vincent Andrews felt a strong sense of unity between members of FBLA.

“This is definitely the best group that we’ve been up with or at least that I have. Everyone studied hard, wanted to do well, but we also wanted to have fun. It was really a group effort,” Andrews said.

All of our national competitors seem eager to travel to Chicago in June for national.

“Right now I’m taking a break from studying. I’m going to take a little break so I won’t forget anything by the competition. I’ll be calling Mrs. Benchetrit asking her questions when I start studying again. Nationals here I come!” Azard said.