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Kelly's FBLA is busy
BENTON - Thomas W Kelly's Future Business Leaders of America has stepped up to the challenge of meeting their goal for 2014 -- 2015 membership.
"When we meet during the summer and began working on the year's activities, our first thought is what we are going to do to make a difference? We discuss our member goals and then begin planning activities that will help build a successful future," said FBLA officer Shaina Grigery Kelly's FBLA membership goal was set at 130 members and it was exceeded by 5 members.
Although the school year is not even midway, Kelly FBLA is busier than ever.
On Sept. 4, the club attended the Career Fair at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, with over 3,000 other high school students. Several colleges were present to offer information regarding various degrees.
There was a panel discussion from several employees/players from Busch Stadium that offered advice and personal experience on their own success stories. Speakers from various departments were represented, such as accounting, recruiting, advertising, scheduling, baseball players, music, etc.
After the career fair, members watched the Redbirds win against the Pirates.
"It was a great game and there was a lot of good advice given," said FBLA member Dylan Schwartz. "If everyone takes just one piece of advice, it should definitely make life much easier!"
On Sept. 23, Kelly officers attended the District 15 meeting at Cape Central High School where they participated in brainstorming exercises. Lee-Ellen Feezor and Alexius Sander, FBLA District 15 officers, assisted in conducting the meeting.
"The meeting was a great experience in leadership and we participated in the process of voting, as we would have done in an actual business meeting. Also, we set dates and events for the upcoming year," Kelly FBLA Reporter, Reece Scherer said.
District 15 is currently comprised of 11 area schools.
Another big event that Kelly FBLA organized was the first membership meeting. It is the tip off for the annual FBLA fundraiser in which students have the opportunity to sign up for the many community service projects and activities for the year.
Local business leader and owner, Sheila Beggs, spoke to the members on the importance FBLA "I think everyone gained some vital confidence and knowledge on who they really are as a person and I have learned how being involved as an FBLA member has changed my whole attitude on the meaning of responsibility to oneself and others," said Vice President Alexius Sander said,
Job Shadowing is an event that many students look forward to. Over 70 students participated on Nov. 6.
Students had to attend a mandatory FBLA dress code check conducted by their FBLA adviser and then once approved, they set out to get a good grasp of what the job was all about. FBLA adviser, Debbie Wright called it "a great lesson for students to understand that professional dress and behavior is very important. Students attend meetings prior to the day of job shadowing to learn about professional dress and expectations. Faces are gleaming with smiles as they journey out to meet and learn about their career interest."
FBLA also recognizes their District by planning appreciation days for the Kelly staff and students and by helping to assist their community.On Nov. 15, students participated in a Scavenger Hunt for canned goods in which 900 canned goods were collected in a two-and-a-half-hour time period. Items were donated to the local food shelters.
Some of the other activities that are right around the corner are district competitions, Christmas campaign for children, National Fall Leadership Conference in New Orleans, Feed My Starving Children, and Bagels for Babies.