By Adalynn Wareham
Bennington FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) has slowly grown throughout the past four years because of how strong the senior class the chapter has been blessed with, and the connectivity between the advisor (Shelly Trvdy) and all members. This year, Bennington FBLA attended the State Leadership Conference (SLC) with 26 members and 2 advisors, the largest the chapter has ever sent.
All attendees came ready to compete, and it showed through the chapter’s honors and awards throughout the weekend. With over ten members placed in the top eight, and an overwhelming number placed in the top ten, Bennington FBLA competed at the highest level the chapter has seen yet. Moreover, there were chapter awards and recognition that Bennington FBLA aspired to obtain at SLC this year, including the Largest Class A Chapter with 75 members and the Sweepstakes award, which is given to clubs that do community-based projects while also completing a checklist of fundraisers and events.
The club was ecstatic to receive these awards because of the hard work they put into making this year of FBLA the best yet. However, the awards do not stop there. This year at SLC, the chapter had three members honored with receiving both All-State recognition and Business Achievement Awards (BAA). These students are Adalynn Wareham, Emily Wareham, and Brynn Moon. Emily Wareham was also the Bennington FBLA Who’s Who Nominee, and Adalynn Wareham received the FBLA Scholarship this year. All these awards and recognitions could not have been completed without the help of the whole club working so diligently up to the State Leadership Conference, and Bennington FLBA is ready to raise the bar again for what the chapter can do.
Moreover, SLC is more than a competition for Bennington FBLA; it’s a three-day adventure that brings members from across grades closer through dinners, game nights, awards, and workshops. Being a part of Bennington FBLA is not just about how people are impacted by the competitions and meetings, but also their personal experiences that FBLA has created for them.
Preston Sheets, a junior and current Vice-President of Bennington FBLA, says that FBLA has been a great way for him to learn “valuable skills both in business and in life.” He also states that his experience at SLC was especially memorable because, “SLC particularly has improved [his] networking and public speaking skills, as well as broadening [his] knowledge of the business world.” FBLA has allowed Preston to be a part of the leadership team to develop fundraiser activities, community events, and run meetings alongside the Co-Presidents this year, Emily Wareham and Zoe Nelson.
Another member who came to SLC this year, for the first time, was Lily Miller. She is currently a sophomore at Bennington and has been extremely active in this year’s events and fundraisers. Lily Miller states that, “[her] experience at SLC this year was great. It was so much fun to hang with the group and get to experience the fun for the first time.” However, the fun for Lily Miller did not stop there; “I also really enjoyed looking at all the college booths and state officer booths.” Lily Miller is an amazing example of an active member ready to take FBLA to the next level through trying out competitions and not being afraid to try something new.
Lastly, the chapter now has over three members attending the national leadership conference in San Antonio, Texas, this upcoming summer, and cannot wait to support these students towards nationals.
