Members of Lassen High School’s Future Business Leaders of America competed at the Northern Section Leadership Conference last week, where 44 out of 52 Lassen students qualified to move on to April 22nd’s State Leadership Conference. That event is typically held in Anaheim or Sacramento but, this year will be held virtually with Lassen students competing from their own campus.
It’s been a rather strange year for the state’s largest FBLA chapter as the Lassen students dealt with Covid-19 precautions that have curtailed a lot of their normal activities.
In a normal year FBLA students have many opportunities to meet and network with students, teachers, and professionals from their regions, the state and the nation. Leadership and competitive conferences start with local region training sessions and move onto the sectional leadership conference followed by a statewide leadership conference.
“The most difficult part of participating in FBLA during Covid is that we don’t have the opportunity to mingle with other California FBLA chapters in person,” explains FBLA President Autry Satica.
“Normally we have trainings, competitions, and conventions in different locations across the state, and that is sadly a big thing we missed out on this year.”
Despite the moratorium on many activities the LHS students continue to practice and hone their skills in every way they can.
“We are still competing with over 52-students, holding multiple practice times and days so small numbers can come at one time,” said Lassen FBLA advisor Dawn Egan.
“We are giving students an opportunity to still be involved at Lassen High School even though many of the extracurricular events are shut down.”
At the group’s first meeting of the year they held activities for students outside and played capture the flag. They took temperatures at the door, provided masks and spaced all chairs apart.
“It was worth the effort!” said Egan. “Students had so much fun social distancing but still missed seeing their friends and attending the meeting.”
This week, February 15th through the 19th, marks National FBLA Week where schools across the country celebrate their FBLA chapters. Here at Lassen, students have a week full of activities planned to raise awareness and have a good time.
On Monday students will be sharing their favorite FBLA memory on social media.
Tuesday is Small Business Appreciation Day and CTE classes will complete a project in class highlighting small business.
FBLA students will meet at the Student Center Wednesday night at 7:00, dressed in FBLA attire, for their first meeting in four months. It is also Advisor Appreciation Day.
Thursday is Career Awareness Day and Friday is Community Service Day.
“During FBLA week I am really looking forward to showing our appreciation for our business partners – Farmers Insurance, IGA, Zaengles and Plumas Bank. We are all super excited to have our first meeting since October during our special week!”
