In the halls of the Koury Convention Center, there is an expectant atmosphere. The FBLA contestants walk about with both determination and fear, smoothing out their suits, fixing their hair, and mentally rehearsing their presentation for the final time. Every slide and every line of their speech has been prepared to perfection over the past few months, and now it’s all coming together in this defining moment.
At this year’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) North Carolina State Leadership Conference, that preparation paid off: Davie High placed highly in multiple events. Students showcased their strengths across competitions, including standardized tests relating to business and student presentations ranging from budgeting to organizing a company’s supply chain. The students spent months attending FLEX sessions and practicing outside of school to refine their knowledge across all aspects of business.
Behind that success is a rebuilt program and a committed advisor. The chapter’s recent success is a testament to the dedication of club advisor and business teacher Shane Young. Though Young originally became an FBLA advisor to meet a requirement for obtaining his teaching license, the organization has grown to mean much more. After attending a State Leadership Conference, Young said he was so impressed with the club that he was shocked to learn the chapter had been dormant for three years, despite a history at the school dating back to 1966. He then made it his mission to revive the program. He started recruiting members the following fall and has now fallen in love with the organization.
“I just love the people,” Young said. “I love our students, and that’s the reason that I do what I do.”
Young noted that the chapter performed better this year than at any point since he became involved, and he is already implementing new tools to further improve the chapter’s standing next year.
Top-10 finishes are so important because Davie’s FBLA chapter has struggled to reach this level in past State Leadership Conferences. The performance this year is heartening for the chapter as a whole. Juniors Dylan Cassetta and Porter Spann placed in the top 10 in the state for their presentation on supply chain management, where they had to implement a distribution strategy for a specific product line.
“It is a pretty big achievement for our chapter,” Cassetta said, “especially here at the debut recently.”
Beyond placements, FBLA members also emphasized the skills they gained from the experience. Ian Rareshide, who competed in a financial planning presentation, saw the conference as a way to build skills for his future career in aerospace engineering. He noted that the experience taught him how to present to seasoned judges and communicate with people from diverse backgrounds.
“You’re always gonna have to explain what you need to do,” Rareshide said, “and then it’ll also just help you learn how to talk and communicate because there’s so many opportunities to talk to people.”
Rareshide’s team made it to the final round of 16 teams, and he expressed confidence that they will return to claim a top-five spot next year.
For others, the impact was more personal. Senior Carter Spillman secured a top-10 spot on a standardized test, a feat he found particularly heartening given the test’s difficulty. He shared that FBLA has helped him overcome his fear of public speaking and taught him to conduct himself professionally.
“I struggled with giving presentations and public speaking a little bit,” Spillman said, “but this has definitely given me some good practice in a different type of setting than a classroom, which I think has been helpful.”
Senior AJ Imes has found similar personal benefits from being a part of FBLA. Imes joined the group shortly after starting his own clothing business, Walking Proof, as a sophomore, hoping that the club would be a good opportunity to be around like-minded individuals and to better his business. Imes explained that FBLA has opened doors for him to grow as a student and pursue a career in business, as he now plans to major in business at Chapel Hill. FBLA has taught him many things that have helped him grow his business and navigate life in general.
“Business is a big part of everyday life,” Imes said. “In whatever field or whatever you go into, you’re going to come across some form of business.”
Despite the high stakes of the competition, the three-day event offered a balance of professional development and social bonding. Students participated in workshops led by some of the most business-oriented students in the state, but the experience was far from being all work and no play. Between sessions, members participated in karaoke, line dancing, and board games.
The Davie chapter distinguished itself particularly in the seated volleyball tournament, advancing to one of the final rounds with the support of its student section and coach, a role filled by current vice president Dylan Cassetta. Cassetta noted that the conference provided a wealth of activities and expressed pride in leading Davie to a near-championship appearance. For Cassetta, FBLA has provided not just a shining start to his coaching career, but a unique opportunity to communicate with like-minded people while learning to navigate the business world.
“There’s over 70 different events in FBLA,” Cassetta said, “and if you have interest in any type of business-oriented job or career, then definitely come check it out.”
As the Davie High FBLA chapter continues to grow, its members and advisors remain committed to excellence. Whether through professional networking or competitive games, the club has established itself as a vital part of the school’s extracurricular landscape, proving that business skills are essential for every student’s future.
