The Future Business Leaders of America visited Philadelphia on Monday, Oct. 28, to observe local businesses.
“It’s unique in that we [got] to actually see the business side of all these real life examples,” FBLA co-secretary and senior Chong said.
One of these businesses was Terror Behind The Walls, a haunted house that is run by Eastern State Penitentiary and is housed within the former prison.
“[We] listened to one of the CFOs of the company … speak about how scaring people was a business and all the logistics it took to do so,” FBLA President and senior Alexander Tosi said.
After returning from the trip, the group prepared to lead a program at Shrevewood Elementary School on Friday, Nov. 15.
This program, called Junior Achievement, is one of FBLA’s foremost events.
“This year we’re taking 78 students to Shrevewood [Elementary] and they will … teach the little elementary kids about topics in finance [and] business,” IB Business teacher and FBLA sponsor Rebekah Glasbrenner said. “They spend the weeks leading up to [Junior Achievement] preparing … all of the curriculum, the activities, everything, is given to them, and [FBLA members] have to learn how to present it.”
Additionally, FBLA competes in business competitions, on a regional, state and national scale, in which students compete in a variety of categories including public speaking and job interviews.
FBLA’s overall goal is to prepare its members for the business world and introducing younger children to topics in business and finance.
“I think FBLA focuses on getting kids involved and interested in business, through JA,” co-secretary and senior Jodie Ryu said. “[It’s] great because it’s a fun experience both for us and the kids we get to teach.”