FBLA: A BUILDING BUSINESS BREAKDOWN

Clear Creek Amana’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) team is preparing for the FBLA Districts Competition, which, for our section, will be taking place in Linn-Mar. Though the event was originally scheduled to be in December, it’s since been rescheduled for January 10, 2026. The shift in date has given way for more preparation time for the team. As districts approaches, our FBLA members are ramping up for the challenge by getting business attire, studying for competitive tests, and sharpening presentation skills as well as public speaking skills.

FBLA MEMBERS HELP PICK UP GARBAGE FROM STANDS AFTER A FOOTBALL GAME; PHOTO BY LAUREL KEENAN

As a member of our school’s FBLA team, I have begun preparing myself for the competition season just as my peers. Preparations involve both self-assessment of competitive topics as well as group projects. One of the most important ways groups have been preparing is by meeting up to collaborate and discuss strategies to put projects together. Staying motivated to try in the competition, due to all the other stressors that come with the end of a semester, is difficult, so these meetings are crucial to the success of the team. 

FBLA members at Clear Creek Amana High School have multiple ways to compete, allowing students to play to their strengths and interests. One common and smart option is to take a test. All members here at CCA must complete at least one competitive test. Testing began during late November and ran through mid-December. So you can imagine that this previous month FBLA members were locking down with their Quizlets, handbooks, and notecards to study for their competitive tests. The general consensus on how the tests went is that studying for a competitive test can be difficult at times: questions that you study might not end up in the actual tests. Korinn Drake, a dedicated sophomore member of FBLA, said, “You can study for hours and still be surprised by what shows up on the test, but it makes you think on your feet and really understand the material.”

FBLA members get the opportunity to compete in ways other than just presentations. For presentations, you have the option to submit either an individual presentation or a group presentation with up to three group members. The options for presentations range anywhere from business law to digital animation, with space in between for just about any somewhat business related field of interest. This year, I’m planning on focusing on presentations. Presentations are a good opportunity to improve your speaking skills. For presentations you may not exceed seven minutes, and you have to have it prepared before the district competition. With tests, though, you do not have to worry about bringing your knowledge to the actual day of the competition, as you get that over and done with at your school (in our case, in Keenan’s room). One increasingly exciting aspect of districts every year is watching freshmen and other newcomers get their first experience with competing. For many new members, districts mark their introduction to competitive business events, professional expectations, and the challenge of applying classroom knowledge in a real-world context. Seeing new members step outside of their comfort zones and grow more confident through the process is one of the most rewarding parts of being involved in FBLA. 

Another important thing to keep in mind this districts season is eligibility for awards. Awards recognize individuals and groups of people, which shines a light on our school’s team and efforts as a whole. This year our team will be striving to get as many awards as possible, as a way to reflect everybody’s hard work. With continued preparation, teamwork, and determination, we’re looking forward to a successful and rewarding district competition season.