This past Wednesday on November 14th the Future Business Leaders of America
(FBLA) had their annual fall pep rally held at the Coliseum. With 230,000 members worldwide,
FBLA is the largest business career and technical student organization in the world. District XII
represents the hundreds of members in Pinellas county with over 15 schools represented. This
year’s rally included networking activities, a speech from the nationally renowned speaker
Laymon Hicks, a fashion show, and lunch catered by Amici’s Italian Eatery to feed the ambitious
Floridian minds.

Middle school and high school students from all over the county arrived at the Coliseum
Wednesday morning dressed to impress, sporting blazers and business shoes. First, new members
and old were debriefed on what FBLA stands for, literally and figuratively. It was explained that
this organization provides students opportunities to excel in leadership, networking with peers,
gain knowledge in the business field, and much more. Secondly, this year’s president, Sabina
Memet, a senior at Lakewood High School, and new officers were formally inducted, complete
with a candle lighting ceremony. Later, new members were officially initiated by stating the
FBLA oath. After the candle lighting inductions and new district information, Laymon Hicks, a
nationally known motivational speaker arrived to inspire the dozens of students in attendance. He
preached to not only become the greatest one can be, but to “be the best in business,” a common
motto of the event. Laymon successfully evoked ambition in students, and his fun energy and
captivating storytelling kept everybody engaged. He even pulled on some heartstrings, reminding
students and advisors to remind their respective support systems that they love them, and
prompted each person in the audience to text a loved one, “thank you for what you mean to me.”
Alyssa Massion, a junior at St. Petersburg High School recalled that her favorite part about the
pep rally was the wise words from Hicks. She stated that “everyone could find something they
can relate to about Hicks and his story,” making him a strong addition to the rally this year.

For the last section of the rally, students gathered in small groups to network and enjoy
lunch together, exchanging numbers and discussing the competitive events that will hopefully
lead them to the national leadership conference in Anaheim, California. The officers surprised the audience with lunch and a show, choosing students to participate in a fashion show to demonstrate the do’s and don’ts of business casual attire. Not to mention the fashion show was complete with a catwalk and music to represent each look. The 2024 FBLA Fall Rally was nothing short of a success. Inspiration and introductions
took place, kicking off the upcoming year for the movers and shakers of distinct XII.