July 28, 2002 – Charlotte Amalie High School sent 15 of its best and brightest future business leaders to a national leadership conference in Tennessee early this month.
The travelers, members of Charlotte Amalie High School's Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter, were at the four-day FBLA National Leadership Conference in Nashville, Tenn. They attended workshops, took part (and got wins) in competitive events, toured the city, and interacted with business executives of Fortune 500 companies, according to a release.
Jim Mickey, Sprint Southwest Region president, keynoted the conference at the opening session. His message offered a survivor's guide to today's business world and a glimpse into the future of the way most students will find themselves connecting in order to work, live, and play.
CAHS graduates Monique Toussaint and Sonii Brown brought delegation members to their feet, not only with their graduation with highest honors from the Institute for Leaders personal success track, but also their national fifth-place finish in the desktop publishing team event. Toussaint also brought recognition to CAHS when she was named a Distinguished Business Leader for the highest average in business subjects among all Virgin Islands FBLA members.
The chapter scored another national win with its State Annual Business Report, placing seventh in the nation. A first place national award was also garnered in percentage increase in membership for the Eastern Region. And CAHS received recognition as an outstanding Gold Seal Chapter, and delegates sported the gold ribbon proudly.
Led by 2002-2003 state president Juel Brin, senior Deon LeCointe paraded across the stage after being named a National Who's Who in FBLA member along with FBLA adviser Ruby Correia from St. Croix 's Elena Christian Junior High, who was named to the ranks of the 2002 Outstanding Local Chapter Advisers.
Other attendees included senior Kia Clarke, who was a semi-finalist (top 15) in the job interview event; and Alex Dennis and John Ross Jr., who placed among the top twenty teams in the multimedia presentation (PowerPoint) event.
State officers Juel Brin, Djalna McSween, Alex Dennis, and John Ross Jr. and local chapter officers Chennel Nolan, Shayla Solomon, Tachelle Newton, and Leon James graduated from the Institute for Leaders with high honors.
State chair and local adviser Cecilia Walters-Smith, parent and professional member Edris James, and former FBLA national president William E. Smith II, who was conducting leadership training at the Institute for Leaders as part of TriLeadership Inc., worked with and accompanied the students to the conference.
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