Bridgewater-Raritan High School’s FBLA chapter attended the New Jersey FBLA North Central and Central Region Summit at Kean University on January 12.
The event at the college in Union, filled with communication and networking, brought students together to enhance their leadership, networking, public speaking and business qualities.
The summit featured 16 workshops in groups of four sessions, each designed to hone specific leadership traits and qualities. From networking strategies to learning business ideas, students engaged in hands-on activities that broadened their skill sets and fostered a sense of teamwork and collaboration.
Workshops were not just passive learning sessions, but instead involved interactive activities and icebreakers. For example, in the public speaking workshop, participants were told to pitch an item or idea that is commonly disliked and portray it into a good light.
These speeches allowed for a learning experience in handling unique situations. Students were able to build connections with their peers from different schools across the state.
The importance of collaboration and communication was a recurring theme throughout the event. Students had the chance to interact with FBLA officers and student leaders, gaining valuable insights into their experiences and journeys.
In one workshop, individuals debated over topics where they had to argue over two choices, such as Marvel or DC, Spotify or Apple Music and TikTok or Instagram. In another, attendees made short conversations with strangers about random topics.
These networking opportunities provided an insight into the professional world and helped students build potentially long-lasting connections.
Speeches were also given about the importance of leadership qualities and helped students understand where the future would take them. Key takeaways from the speeches included insights into the critical role of strong leadership in shaping the future and guiding the world towards success.
The FBLA North Central and Central Region Summit not only provided students with a platform to enhance their leadership qualities, but it also created a sense of community among the young leaders.
NJ FBLA North Central Region Vice President and BRHS FBLA Chapter President Abhijay Edavalapati expressed his reaction to the event.
“I am incredibly proud of the summit’s success, as it not only met but surpassed our expectations. We achieved a record-breaking attendance of over 400 members this year, reaching maximum capacity. It holds a special place in my heart as it exemplifies our commitment to fostering collaboration and dialogue,” he said.
