On April 1, five Future Business Leaders of America competitors across three competitions qualified for nationals.
A team of juniors featuring Akhil Metukuru, Abhishek Mathew and Hayden Krisko placed first in the state for the Banking & Financial Systems competition.
“I feel like we had a really good amount of competitors again,” FBLA adviser Shane Kellogg said. “More than last year but pretty close to what we previously would have had before.”
Kellogg said the price for competing has increased since last year.
“This year is about 50 to $60 more for entering, including team events, where you have three people competing,” he said. “This is in an effort for FBLA Virginia to try and recuperate some of the costs that were lost over the past two years.
Another deterrent for the state competitors was that the event took place over Spring Break.
“[The state competition was] at the beginning of our Spring Break, which is not aligned with other school districts,” Kellogg said. “Other school districts around the state aren’t running into the issue, whereas the first two days of competition are the Friday and Saturday starting spring break for us.
The five competitors who qualified for the national competition will have the opportunity to compete in Chicago this summer from June 29 to July 2.