By Abigail Creech
At 9:30 a.m., on the morning of June 26, I departed from Baltimore International Airport to compete in the 2023 National Leader Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, for North East High School’s Future Business Leaders of America Chapter. From June 27 to June 30, over twelve thousand students and advisors came together to compete, network, and learn more about business. I participated as the sole competitor for my school, guided by North East’s FBLA advisor, Dr. Jessica McGowan.
In the end, North East’s FBLA came out victorious, achieving the National Champion Chapter at the Gold level. As a contender, I competed against one hundred other groups in the Local Chapter Annual Business Report event, and although not successful, I relished the opportunity to expand upon my knowledge and skills in the field of business.
Along the way, Dr. McGowan and I enjoyed the entertainment that Atlanta provided, such as the Atlanta Zoo, the Atlanta Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola, and the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. As well as visiting the historical site of Centennial Olympic Park, where the 1996 Summer Olympics were held.
However, my favorite part of the trip was all the different food I was able to try. The day we landed, we went to The Melting Pot for dinner, which was a very fun experience because I have never had any type of fondue before. Some of the other places McGowan and I went to that week included Tin Lizzy’s, The Varsity, Rock’s Chicken & Fries, Max’s Coal Oven Pizzeria, and The Americano (which is owned by Scott Conant, a judge on Chopped!).
My trip to Atlanta and participating in the National Leadership Conference was such an exciting and unique occurrence in my life. FBLA always provides many learning experiences, and gratifying trips and events. If you are a student at North East High School, I strongly encourage you to join to gain this business skills and once in a lifetime experiences, and if you go to one of the other high schools in the county that may not have the club, start your own FBLA chapter, it is highly worth it!
