Attending the FBLA Awards of Excellence program in Anaheim, California, were (l-r) Thomas Morgan, Hannah McTier, Brittany Guin, and Tanya Morgan. Two W-WCHS FBLA members, their advisor, and a middle-level member attended a conference of national importance for their organization and also did a little sightseeing while they were on the west coast.

Future Business Leaders of America Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL), the largest and oldest student business organization, held its National Leadership Conference at Anaheim Convention Center. Conference participants from around the country were in attendance for this amazing conference.

Anaheim is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations— a place well-suited for over 7,800 future business leaders to Get the Edge.

Brittany Guin and Hannah McTier from the Washington-Wilkes Comprehensive High School Chapter of FBLA received national recognition at the Southern Region meeting for achieving the Future Level of the national Business Achievement Awards. The chapter received recognition for being named a National Gold Seal Chapter, which is an award given to the top 15 percent of chapters nationwide. The award was part of a comprehensive competitive events program sponsored by FBLA-PBL.

Brittany Guin (left) and Hannah McTier represented the W-WCHS FBLA at the National Leadership Conference in California and also got to spend a little time at Santa Monica Beach. Individuals, state teams, and local chapters were encouraged to compete in any of the nearly 60 different events representing a wide range of activities and the business and leadership development focus of FBLA-PBL. The winners of these highly competitive and prestigious awards were selected from among FBLA-PBL's membership of over 250,000 students and advisers and represent some of the best and brightest of today's youth.

Also in attendance from WWCHS were Tanya Morgan, adviser, and Thomas Morgan, middle level FBLA member.

The conference began with an opening session in which national candidates delivered their campaign speeches. The over 7,800 attendees were also entertained and motivated by Todd Newton, veteran television host of E! Entertainment Television. Newton encouraged each attendee to make the right choices in their lives.

The conference continued with various competitions, leadership sessions, and exhibits and concluded at the Awards of Excellence program.

In addition to the conference, the W-WCHS group enjoyed a tour of Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and the Santa Monica Pier. The group also enjoyed a day at Disneyland, a day at California Adventures, and two evenings at Downtown Disney where they dined and played at the Rainforest Café and the ESPN Zone.

"This was a trip of a lifetime for these students and myself; a trip we will never forget," Mrs. Morgan said.

The trip was made possible by the financial help of the Washington Rotary Club; the Washington Kiwanis Club; F&M Bank; RTG Contractor; Palmer Equipment Inc.; Tena's Jewelry; Essex Manufacturing; Mr. Steve Albertson, CPA; Mr. and Mrs. Bob Haughey; Mr. and Mrs. William Steed; Mr. and Mrs. David Cravens; Rocking Ranch; Wills Memorial Hospital; Regions Bank; Robbie Drake-Tupperware Representative; Mercer Harris Photography; students and faculty at W-WCHS; Steve Echols, principal; and Mark Ward, assistant principal.

Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) education association. Its mission is to bring business and education together in a positive working relationship through innovative leadership and career development programs. The association is headquartered in Reston, Virginia, just outside Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www.fbla-pbl.org.