One Thomas County Central High School senior is putting her passion for business and leadership drive to use at both the local and state levels.
Tyler Williamson has been selected as this year’s Georgia Future Business Leaders of America, or FBLA, Region 1 president. The honor was bestowed by Georgia FBLA Executive Director Monty Rhodes and the region consists of 26 counties.
“I had the desire to become a Georgia FBLA Region 1 officer through the growing love and passion I have for FBLA,” she said. “I saw it as a unique opportunity to not only serve my chapter but my school and all of Georgia FBLA.”
Williamson attended the Region Officer Academy at Camp John Hope in Fort Valley, where she spent the weekend “growing as a region officer” and having her skills observed.
“Becoming not only an officer but president was just more than I could've imagined,” she said. “When they announced the selections I was in a little state of shock. It took a while for it to sink in, but once I told my advisor, Mr. Nick Haskin, I was definitely uber excited.”
Nick Haskin, one of the TCCHS FBLA club advisors, said Georgia FBLA has more than 26,000 members “with less than 60 serving in officer positions” and it “cannot be overstated how proud we are” of Williamson’s accomplishment.
“Not only is a she a great student and FBLA member, Tyler is truly a selfless leader,” Haskin said. “She wants the very best for the FBLA members at TCCHS. She will, without doubt, serve our region with the same excellence and determination that we have come to expect out of her.”
Williamson has been involved with the club since her freshman year. She served as the TCCHS FBLA ninth/10th grade vice-president, was vice-president of the school’s entire chapter her junior year, and also will serve as president of her chapter this year.
Haskin adds “we are even more excited to have her serving as TCCHS FBLA president this year” and calls Williamson “an amazing young woman.”
“As school starts I am pretty thrilled to have such an amazing chapter and region,” Williamson said. “It is a little nerve- wracking because there are a lot of high expectations, but I am hoping to live up to all of them. We have a lot of talent in our FBLA chapter, and I can't wait to see the success that I know we are capable of unfolding this year.”
Her job as region president includes assisting during many Georgia FBLA conferences in a variety of tasks, such as ushering and selling items for charity. She also will have the opportunity to attend workshops with other Georgia FBLA members and will run and plan her region’s leadership conference.
“The responsibility I am most excited for, however, is to simply represent my chapter, region, state, and organization wherever I go,” Williamson said.
One goal of Williamson’s, and one she plans to push, is to help increase membership within the FBLA organization.
“This is a premier organization that no student should miss out on joining,” she said. “The benefits of FBLA are almost limitless, and there is so much to gain from joining.”
Williamson is living proof of the organization’s benefits. She said FBLA has not only “bettered” her life, but has “changed” it, too, by providing her with skills she would not otherwise have obtained, by allowing her to travel and meet new people, and it has helped her “establish a reliable career path, as well as a realistic mindset for life after high school.”
The senior said, upon entering high school, she didn’t know for sure what career field she wanted to pursue, but decided to study business.
“I knew that it was a pretty general field you could go almost anywhere in,” Williamson said. “Along with studying business, I joined FBLA to enhance my knowledge in the field because obviously it is good to be involved in activities you're interested in. After I joined, I fell in love with the organization and I am so thankful for FBLA because it has helped me narrow down a career path.”
Williamson plans to study marketing and international business in college and pursue a career within that area. She is currently in the dual enrollment program through Bainbridge State College and is working toward an associate degree with a concentration in business administration.
“FBLA has brought me to all of these wonderful decisions…and has prepared me to successfully pursue this path,” she said. “It has taught me everything from how to do a cover letter and resume, (to) a proper business handshake, as well as proper business attire.”
And, realizing this is her last year with the organization is “bittersweet.”
“It is bittersweet going into my senior year, for as I hope to leave my mark on my FBLA chapter and region this year, FBLA has left its mark on me for sure,” Williamson said. “I will cherish the experiences FBLA has brought to me in high school, knowing that much of my future success grew out of a wonderful organization.”