Success at the high school level has led Jim Thorpe Area School District to consider adding a middle-level Future Business Leaders of America chapter that would allow its seventh and eighth graders to gain experience in one of the many competitive events offered.

“We had a request come in from our FBLA adviser to start a middle-level chapter to get students involved at a younger age,” Superintendent Robert Presley said during a meeting Wednesday night. “It will require an extra stipend for the individual who would be overseeing that program so we will get that information and bring it back to the board for approval next month.”

The addition of a middle-level program would come on the heels of an excellent Jim Thorpe Area High School performance at the recent Regional FBLA Leadership Conference held at Palmerton Area High School. Of the 87 Jim Thorpe FBLA members, 47 qualified for the State Leadership Conference in Hershey from April 17-19.

Jim Thorpe’s school board on Wednesday night unanimously approved a cost not to exceed $9,138.20 for the students to attend the conference.

According to adviser Tonia Rhode, the district has historically paid for all student registration fees for the conference plus chaperon costs. The registration fee is $95 per student. Students are then responsible to pay for two nights of lodging and five meals, which cost $400 per student.

Students have raised some money already and will be doing additional fundraising as well to help reduce their costs, according to a letter from Rhode to the school board.

Finishing in first place at the regional conference for the Olympians were Sarah Hartman in the Help Desk event, Bryana Calcano in Banking and Financial Systems, Chelsea Kurtz in Network Design, Casey McArdle in Banking and Financial Systems, Jonathan Duffy in Cyber Security, Paul Rutledge in Organizational Leadership and Lawrence Baldassano in Banking and Financial Systems.

“Our students did very well at the regional conference and we want to congratulate them on their successes thus far,” Presley said.