Twenty-two students from Jim Thorpe Area High School, LB Morris Middle School and Penn Kidder Middle School participated in the Future Business Leaders of America Inc.’s National Leadership Conference.

The event, held in Orlando, Florida, from June 26 to July 3, attracted more than 18,000 middle school, high school and college students, educators, and volunteers from across the country.

The NLC provides education, competition, and networking opportunities centered on business.

More than 12,000 students from nearly 2,100 schools in 43 U.S. states and territories and two countries competed in more than 100 business-related events for cash prizes totaling over $120,000. Students also had the opportunity to engage in over 200 learning workshops and meet with representatives from more than 100 colleges, universities, and employers.

Additionally, middle school and high school members heard from Shawn D. Nelson, founder and CEO of Lovesac, who shared advice from his experience as an entrepreneur. Gorick Ng, a Wall Street Journal bestselling author and career adviser at Harvard University, offered tips to collegiate members about how to start their careers successfully.

Jim Thorpe received recognition with the Hollis and Kitty Guy Gold Seal Chapter Award of Merit, and the FBLA Champion Chapter Gold Status. Both awards come after a year of hard work and dedication from the high school officer team. Going into this year, the team hopes to supersede the accomplishment and keep moving forward.

“All three of our chapters had an amazing year this year in FBLA. We started both middle school chapters this year and had great success. All three chapters earned merit awards and outstanding chapter awards, We are very excited to continue our success in the 2024-2025 school year,” Jim Thorpe adviser Tonia Thompson said.

“We’re only in our second week of the school year, and we’re already seeing massive improvements in membership and engagement,” Region 21 and Jim Thorpe President Jonathan Duffy said. “Going into this year, all of the other officers and I have high expectations and goals for our chapter.

“Our top goal is to continue to expand FBLA across the district. To accomplish this, we are hoping to achieve 200 members in our high school chapter.

The FBLA hopes to contribute at least 1,700 hours of community service in the area.

A community shoe drive fundraiser is underway. The public is asked to donate gently used shoes to donation boxes located in the high school building, Penn Kidder Campus, Lawrence B. Morris Campus and the Jim Thorpe Market.

Jim Thorpe FBLA would not have been able to attend the conference without the support of its sponsors: Platinum Level — Jim Thorpe Area School District, St. Luke’s University Health Network; Silver Level — Mauch Chunk Trust Company, Hazleton, Stroudsburg, Pottsville, Nanticoke Eye Specialists; Bronze Level — Shawn Kresge Services, BTM Inc., Bradley Sciocchetti Inc., JTNB, Jim Thorpe Camping Resort; Copper Level — Bonnie and Clyde Pub and Grill, Bear Mountain Realty, Jim Thorpe Lions Club.

Other sponsors included Mountain View Restoration, Highwood, Jim Thorpe Rotary, Jim Thorpe Tourism Agency, American Legion, Joker’s Are Wild Game Cafe, Forest Inn Service Center, Shamrock Container Inc., Antonio’s Pizzera & Bar on Broadway, Julio’s, Roberti and Roberti, MYST, Rainbow’s End and Tommy’s Subs.