By Arnav Bavishi
The Prowler Opinion-Editorial Editor
Bridgewater-Raritan High School’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) members attended the New Jersey North Central Region FBLA Summit on Friday, January 23, held at James Caldwell High School.
The event at the Essex County high school brought together students from high schools across North Central Jersey for a day of leadership, development, and collaboration.
The summit opened with welcoming remarks from NJ FBLA North Central Region Vice President Sophia Helou, NJ FBLA State Advisor Kimberly Clark, and James Caldwell High School Principal James Devlin. The speakers emphasized professionalism and connection within FBLA, setting the tone for what was to come.
NJ FBLA North Central Region Vice President Sophia Helou welcomed students to James Caldwell High School.
The first activity students participated in focused on networking, allowing students to meet members from other schools and form new connections. Students moved through the auditorium and were encouraged to step out of their comfort zones to exchange ideas, engage in conversations, and practice communication skills integral to mock and real-world business environments.
Students then worked through three workshop sessions, each offering a variety of classes focused on personal growth, leadership, and preparing for the future. For instance, a financial literacy workshop focused on money management skills, teaching students budgeting concepts crucial to preparing for college and adult life. Other workshops included leadership and goal-setting.
The college preparation workshop guided students through the steps they should take in high school to succeed in college, offering practical advice on academic planning and extracurricular activities.
One of the most hands-on workshops, an FBLA murder mystery, centered on parliamentary procedure and used an engaging mystery game to help students understand FBLA rules and formal meeting etiquette.
Bridgewater-Raritan sophomore Arshiya Aggarwal, who attended the summit, shared her perspective on the workshops and how they influenced her leadership skills.
“The college prep workshop stood out to me the most because it helped break down important topics such as building a strong résumé, selecting colleges that align with your personal and academic goals, and preparing for future career paths,” Aggarwal explained. “Attending this summit showed me how initiative, collaboration, and professionalism play a key role in effective leadership. Seeing passionate FBLA members and leaders from different chapters motivated me to become more involved and take on greater roles in FBLA,” she said.
Students had an opportunity to network and build new connections.
After lunch at noon, students participated in the Chapter Challenge, a marketing competition in which each school had 20 minutes to develop and complete a marketing plan for a pizza shop, including branding, slogans, logos, and an outline of the 5 Ps of marketing. Students worked collaboratively on creating posters, learning to apply their critical thinking, creativity, and decision-making skills under pressure to develop a successful marketing plan.
Elected representatives from each school then took the stage to present their pitches, showcasing their originality and ability to work under pressure. In the end, Bridgewater-Raritan High School emerged as the winner, earning much applause for its confident presentation and cohesive marketing plan.
The summit concluded with recognition of each school’s chapter advisors and closing remarks. Evidently, the North Central Region Summit provided students from across the state with valuable opportunities to learn through workshops, connect with peers, and apply business skills in competitive situations.