THOMASVILLE –Thomas County Central High School Future Business Leaders of America chapter started its new year Sept. 6, and included on the meeting agenda was a recognition of members’ summer accomplishments.

Big news to celebrate was current sophomores Kayden McLain and Caroline Westberg’s placement in the Community Service Project category at the 2023 FBLA National Leadership Conference in Atlanta. They competed against approximately one hundred teams worldwide and earned 11th, just shy of the top 10.

Just making it to the national competition is an amazing achievement, TCCHS FBLA Adviser Nick Haskin said.

“To make nationals, make finals, and place in the top 15 in the nation as just freshmen is astounding,” he said. “They worked tirelessly in preparing for each round of presentation and overcame their nerves and fears. I could not be more proud, and I am certainly elated that they are just beginning their sophomore year!”

While McLain and Westberg said they were slightly disappointed to miss walking the national stage, they’re proud of their ranking.

“I was still overwhelmed with happiness and so excited,” McLain said. “This accomplishment meant so much to me. I was just so proud of me and Caroline, and it made me fall in love with FBLA even more. It was overall a great experience, and I learned so much.”

The duo made the national competition thanks to their placements at regional and state contests during the 2022-23 school year.

“Our placement meant so much to us as we stayed up late perfecting the project throughout state and nationals,” Westberg said. “We put so much into the project, and I’m glad we placed as high as we did! It makes me feel accomplished.”

The duo’s project was on Shop With A Yellow Jacket – or SWAYJ – the annual holiday shopping event TCCHS students conduct to help younger Thomas County Schools pupils and their families have a nice Christmas.

Haskin said Westberg and McLain produced and presented a 16-page report about SWAYJ.

“For the preliminaries, the students have to place in the top two of their group of 15-20 to move on to finals,” he said. “Their report, along with their amazing presentation, helped them move on to the final round. In the final, they presented to a panel of judges and a room full of students and advisers.”

The duo thinks the project’s topic helped their entry stand out.

McLain said those who heard their presentation seemed intrigued with SWAYJ and asked many questions, while Westberg said its focus and impact garnered attention.

“I think our project stood out because it included not only the holidays but also helping families,” Westberg said. “Our school system also had a large turnout for the event, which helped with our statistics for the project.”

Their success as (then) ninth-grade competitors is a positive encouragement for these youth and an example of what’s possible in FBLA.

Westberg, who initially struggled with finding her place within FBLA, already anticipates this year’s competition season.

“This project was my first presentation in FBLA, and it helps push me to continue with presentations,” she said. “FBLA has given me the opportunity to grow as a person with real life-long friends who encourage your success. I hope to continue to grow in this program and succeed much more in FBLA!”

Both members encouraged their peers to consider FBLA and its competitions.

“I would say to not be scared,” McLain said of competing. “I get extremely nervous before we compete, but you need to have confidence when you compete, and it will help. Really, just have fun!”

Westberg urged others not to let fear of what might happen keep them from trying.

“Most people think the worst thing you could do is fail, but that’s wrong,” she said. “The worst thing you could do is not try.”