VALDOSTA — Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) is a career and technical student organization with more than 250,000 members whose mission is to bring business and education together in a positive working relationship through innovative leadership and career development programs. From June 28 – July 3, more than 11,000 students, business professionals, and advisors descended upon Chicago, IL for the 2015 Future Business Leaders of America National Conference. The best of the best from all over the United States including the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico attended the conference. Canada, China, and Haiti were also represented at the conference. Students’ main focus was competitive events. Events range from accounting to website design, with economics, public speaking, and social media mixed in between. Overall FBLA is home to more than 60 events.

Valdosta High School was represented by Nasier Vazquez accompanied by chapter advisor, Aqila Blankumsee. Vazquez performed well enough at the region and state levels to earn a chance to compete against the best in the nation in the hospitality management competition. He made it past preliminary competition and earned a spot in the finals where only the top 15 teams compete. Vazquez placed 6th in the nation in hospitality management, beating thousands of other students in that event. Overall Georgia FBLA had the highest membership and increased the amount of national winners by over 50 percent. Congratulations to Nasier Vazquez, Valdosta High School FBLA, and Georgia FBLA.

Valdosta City Schools