BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — Business education was the focus of Thursday’s Kiwanis Club luncheon in Inez. Martin County Area Technology Center instructor Thomas Ray and members of Future Business Leaders of America highlighted their achievements and growth.
Ray, who serves as business instructor and FBLA advisor, detailed the chapter’s exponential growth and success during his five-year tenure. From a group of five in 2021, the chapter has expanded to 55 members and continues to gain regional recognition.
“This is my fifth full year as the FBLA advisor,” Ray told club members. “We started small, like any organization. Last year we had 37 members. This year, we’re at 55. We had the highest percentage membership increase this year among mid-level schools at the regional competition.”
Ray said the chapter’s performance has improved alongside its growth.
“I can’t really brag on these kids enough. We had 12 placers last year; this year we had 17,” he said. “We have very high potential of sending more competitors to nationals this year. Last year we had five. I believe everybody going [to state] year has the potential to be a national competitor.”
He introduced three standout students to the audience: senior Keagen Branscome, the Region 5 Networking Infrastructure champion; Dakoda Ward, one of the chapter’s vice presidents; and BJ Parsley, the only four-year member of Martin County’s FBLA and one of its treasurers.
Parsley, Ward and Branscome led a PowerPoint presentation outlining the organization’s mission and opportunities.
“FBLA stands for Future Business Leaders of America,” Branscome explained. “It’s the largest career student business organization in the world. It’s a nonprofit that helps students prepare for careers in business and business-related fields.”
He emphasized the club’s role in bridging the gap between high school and career readiness by exposing students to future opportunities in the business world, equipping them with the necessary skills to navigate and thrive in the professional landscape.
Parsley focused on the leadership component, saying leadership is the biggest skill students will take from this organization.
“It’s going to provide students with various leadership opportunities by encouraging them to run for club office positions,” Parsley said. “The responsibilities of officers require skills ranging from public speaking to managing their own money. They provide hands-on experience in decision-making, teamwork and communication. It gives you vital skills that will foster confidence in future leaders.”
Ward spoke about FBLA’s emphasis on civic involvement. “These include chapter challenges, fundraising and volunteer work,” Ward said. “We also have to foster social responsibility, empathy and personal growth.”
The Martin County chapter has participated in numerous service activities, including the Harvest Festival, Christmas in the Mountains, Trunk or Treat, Angel Tree, Operation Christmas Child and flood relief efforts.
Branscome highlighted the competition aspect. “We put on our suits and ties and leverage all the effort we’ve invested in preparation for the annual FBLA competition,” he said. “Our students compete in a wide variety of topics, including business management, finance, entrepreneurship, marketing, technology and countless others. These are often tested through online exams, business pitches and presentations or even performances on a stage.”
At the Region 5 competition March 6 at Morehead State University, the chapter brought home 18 trophies, including four regional championships: Intro to Business Procedures, Networking Infrastructure, Journalism and the Talent Show.
Last year, five students qualified for national competition, but funding made the trip unattainable. Parsley said Ray made it up to the students with a trip to Kentucky Kingdom. “That was a lot of fun,” he said.
The chapter has also traveled to Washington for the past two years. However, this year they went to Tennessee to visit Dollywood, Wilderness Lodge, and Tanger Outlets in Sevierville.
“That was a lot of fun,” Parsley said. “It was nice to step away from school and just have fun with fellow officers who will become friends for the rest of our lives.”
Ray expressed pride in the students and optimism for the future. He explained that several chapter members could not attend the luncheon as they were participating in a school play on Friday.
“I truly believe we’ll be one of the biggest groups in eastern Kentucky within the next couple of years,” he said.
Courses such as personal finance, entrepreneurship, business management and introduction to business are the foundation of FBLA competitions, Ray noted.
Several students at the luncheon shared their academic and career goals. One plans to become a high school consumer sciences teacher after attending Eastern Kentucky University. Another hopes to attend Morehead State and eventually medical school to specialize in radiology. A third intends to major in social studies at Alice Lloyd College and later attend law school.
Students admitted that they spent two weeks studying for regionals. They competed in categories such as Intro to Business Procedures, Networking Infrastructure, Journalism, Talent, Broadcast Journalism, Computer Problem Solving, Digital Animation, Financial Math, Help Desk, Intro to Public Speaking, Network Design, Personal Finance, Public Speaking, Accounting, Securities & Investments, Supply Chain Management, and User Experience Design.
The Kentucky FBLA Leadership Conference kicked off Monday at the Galt House in Louisville and will wrap up Wednesday (April 16). Competitors at the state have a chance to advance to the National Leadership Conference set for June 29–July 2 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California.