A Thomas County Central High School freshman has earned an esteemed honor within the Georgia Future Business Leaders of America organization. Alyssa Barlow, 14, is a Region 1 officer for the 2019-2020 year.
The state’s FBLA program has more than 26,000 members but less than 60 officer positions, adviser Nicholas Haskin said.
“To earn the right to serve as an officer in your freshman year...it cannot be overstated how proud we are of Alyssa's accomplishment,” he said. “Alyssa's selection as a region officer, though quite an honor, is not a surprise. She has already proven herself to be an amazing student, a fierce competitor, and a great worker and leader among her peers.”
For example, out of more than 500 students in her event, she qualified for the 2019 FBLA National Leadership Conference in San Antonio, Texas this summer.
All selected region officers must complete a multi-step process. These steps include application, résumé, essays, letters of recommendation and levels of Business Achievement Awards to encourage students to become stronger leaders.
“Once Mr. Haskin told me about the position, I did everything I could to get it,” Barlow said. “I worked really hard on my Business Achievement Awards and anything else that we thought would help. However, with this being my first year in FBLA, I was surprised when I got the email saying I was chosen…. As a freshman, it's pretty cool to be named a region officer because I don't have much experience in FBLA. I'm just honored to be named a region officer at my age and with my experience. I thank Mr. Haskin for helping me accomplish this and for encouraging me to get involved with FBLA.”
Barlow is an FBLA member because the organization helps open the doors to future opportunities she didn’t realize were possible.
“It's introduced me to different skills and skill sets I didn't know I had,” she said.
Each region officer is elected to serve a term of one school year. If desired, an individual may apply to attain higher levels and eventually qualify to serve as a state officer.
“I'm looking forward to meeting other officers in and out of my region,” Barlow said. “As a region officer, I have to be involved with my chapter members with anything they do, which I think will be fun and beneficial for all of us.”
Some of Barlow’s responsibilities include attending a region officer academy, assisting the region advisor with the region’s leadership conference, attending all meetings and conferences on the region and state levels, and continuing to work toward America Level (national recognition) on her Business Achievement Awards.
“We could not be more proud of Alyssa and look forward to all that she will accomplish while an officer and leader with TCCHS FBLA,” Haskin said.