The Texan 2020-2021 (Issue 3 )

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THE TEXAN

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

THE TEXAN 02

Editor's Note

03

MPVP Letter

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Conferences Recapitulation

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SLC Recap

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A Final Farewell

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Closing

editor's note Hey Texas FBLA! It has been a while, but I am back again with another issue of The Texan. Sad to say this is my last issue of The Texan, but this opens new doors for the future.

This year has certainly been a wild one, but I am glad to be able to serve as your 2020-2021 State Reporter-Historian!

From Fall Workshop to now SLC, you guys made the experience worthwhile. So much has been accomplished where new chapters were chartered (welcome to the family), new members joining, and members now finally graduating.

Since the beginning of the year and to now, many of the chapters across the state of Texas have continued on with amazing momentum. I have seen some amazing things that have happened across the state despite circumstances, and I am proud of each and every one of you!

To the members: Thank you for joining and I hope this experience has been worthwhile.

Although it may not be an ideal start to your FBLA journey, I hope you learned something, made some friends, and most importantly enjoy it. Thank you for your hard work and dedication, and I hope it has paid off. I wish you all the best with your future endeavors and continue to apply what FBLA has taught you as it taught me.

Enjoy my final issue of The Texan, and I wish you all good health and luck.

Happy reading,

Lynn Nie

LYNN NIE TEXAS FBLA REPORTER-HISTORIAN REPORTER-HISTORIAN@FBLATX.ORG

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mpvp's letter Hello Texas FBLA! As the year is drawing to an end, I hope each of you ASPIRED to make a difference while making it your best possible membership experience this year. Although I have not met anyone face-to-face, I hope to “see” many of you virtually at this summer’s NLC. After our meeting in Reston, Virginia during FBLA-PBL week, the national officer team and the national center worked together to create new programs and initiatives, while planning creative ideas and activities for the National Leadership Conference in June. I encourage each chapter to register its qualifying members for NLC, as it will be a fun and fresh look to the virtual scene. With the membership year coming to a close, I would like to celebrate our regions’ accomplishments at our Mountain Plains meeting at NLC. Please remember to register for the conference by the June 8 deadline to see the amazing activities states are doing.

Throughout the year, Texas FBLA has excelled in multiple ways. From navigating new competition styles, to finding ways to continue to be involved in community service activities, everyone has ASPIRED beyond expectations. Even though the membership year is almost over, you can still get involved by completing your Business Achievement Awards or Community Service Awards by the May 1 deadline, or even apply for a local officer position for next year. And for those of you who are dreaming “BIG”, national officer applications are due on May 15. I hope each of you continue to stay motivated throughout the summer and strive to set goals for your chapters this upcoming year.

Texas FBLA, thank you for electing me to serve you during this amazing year. Although some things were challenging, I still had the opportunity to network and celebrate accomplishments within our region. Anything is achievable if we set our minds to it. The Mountain Plains Region has a great deal to be proud of, and I look forward to seeing the many tremendous things you will accomplish in the future. Your membership and dedication to FBLA was put to the test this year, but you soared above expectations.

Continue your hard work and best of luck with your future endeavors. Always remember and appreciate the tremendous tools FBLA has provided you as you continue to succeed.

Sincerely,

Kaylie Reese MOUNTAINS PLAINS REGION VICE PRESIDENT FBLAMPVP@FBLA.ORG

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conferences recapitulation BY

LISA

LIU

Welcome to 2021! With the new year upon us, it is time to look forward to all the new and exciting events happening in the 2021 school year starting with the Area Leadership Conferences. This article will address when and where some of the area conferences will be held along with some test taking and presentation tips for every one who is competing.

Starting with Area 1, their conference is planning to be held on January 27.

Members can expect an exciting and informative experience virtually.

Moving on, the Area 5 conference will be on January 16 through YouTube. Members can hop on YouTube to watch the opening ceremony and awards as testing will have happened before then.

Lastly, the Area 7 area conference will occur on January 23. Like Area 5, testing and production will be happening in the few weeks before the conference. On the other hand, the presentation will occur between January 13-15.

With many of the competitions coming up in the next few weeks, let’s get into some testing and presentation tips to aid us all in our competitions.

Though the past year has been tough, let us take full advantage of 2021 and make it the best that we can. I hope this article can help with your competition experience and help you score well.

Until next time!

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SLC RECAP

slc recap BY

LYNN

NIE

Conferences are always memorable and one-of-a-kind, but this description perfectly fits the Texas Future Business Leaders of America 2020-2021 State Leadership Conference.

Although the members experienced only one day on Friday, March 26 for SLC for the opening session with our amazing keynote speaker, Hoan Do, various interesting workshops, Zoom calls with the officer candidates, and of course awards, a lot was going on behind the scenes.

Your 2020-2021 State Action Team had already arrived at the San Luis Resort on the 24th of March, two days before when all the magic would happen. Officers flew in from all over the state of Texas to arrive in Galveston that Wednesday. From then on, rehearsals began.

Hours of rehearsing the scripts for the opening and closing ceremonies, how to walk and wave on stage, how to hold medals for the award ceremony, recording area meetings, conducting interviews with the officer candidates, and more were all happening from Wednesday to Friday.

We are all so proud of our members and what they have achieved during this State Leadership Conference! Thank you for your hard work and competitive drive.

Without y'all, we wouldn't be here today. Congratulations to all that have competed, qualified for Nationals, and/or to the new 2021-2022 State Action Team!

If you want to rewatch the conference, a website link is posted below: https://virtualleadershipexperience.org/txfbla/

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A FINAL FAREWELL SOME GOODBYE MESSAGES FROM THE 2020-2021 STATE ACTION TEAM

president's farewell Hey there FBLA, yet another year has come to an end.

I know it hasn’t been the easiest, but we’ve made it through everything to reach this point.

And that is something that I view as nothing short of sensational.

That said, I would like to thank Mrs. Crook, Matlock, and Clayton; my officer team; my advisor, Mr. Alfredo Martinez; and my friends and family who have all continued to support, guide, and believe in me.

Now, I look forward to a new tomorrow for myself and this amazing organization.

As I continue on my journey through the next year, I aspire to grow and be of service to everyone along the way.

Until then, FBLA.

Chasten Musenda TEXAS STATE PRESIDENT 202O-2021

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secretary's farewell Texas FBLA, this is the end. FBLA has been my home and community for the past four years.

Little did I know when stumbling across this club in freshman year that FBLA would have such an immense impact on my life and shape me into the person I am today.

Through FBLA, I have made close friends, had the opportunity to travel all around the world and met some of the most ambitious and inspiring leaders. I am forever grateful for the people who have made this possible.

To Mr. Bryan, Mr. Spier, Ms. Perry, Mrs. Crook, and Mrs. Matlock - thank you for all the time you’ve spent mentoring and inspiring us to be the best we can be.

To my family and friends, thank you for always supporting me and keeping me in check.

To Texas FBLA, thank you for enabling me to grow and become a better business leader.

Let us go forward, “Together Towards Tomorrow” with warm smiles and hopeful hearts.

See you soon FBLA!

Lisa Liu TEXAS STATE SECRETARY 2020-2021

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parliamentarian's farewell I didn’t believe the end would come so soon. Through my last three years in this amazing organization, I have made unforgettable memories, obtained honorable qualities, gained amazing friends, and was allowed valuable opportunities. Deciding to run for a state officer position last year was one of the greatest decisions I have ever made; having the honor of working alongside some of the most innovative and intelligent individuals was an opportunity I never thought I could be able to experience.

Thank you to all of the other state officers, Mrs. Crook, and Mrs. Matlock for helping me grow as an FBLA member and as a person; your guidance and support is more than appreciated.

And, to Mrs. Purdue and Mrs. Osment: you’ll never know how much I appreciate you two advising me for the past three years. Without you both pushing me to be my best, I wouldn’t be able to accomplish all I have; thank you for driving me all around the state of Texas and always believing in me.

Mom and Dad: this has been a long and stressful journey; thank you for taking it with me. Your unconditional support means more than you know.

And, lastly, thank you to everyone else who also helped me grow “Together Towards Tomorrow.”

All my tomorrows have changed and will be changed because of your support.

Texas FBLA, I love you endlessly; and I bid you this last farewell.

Kharma Haltom TEXAS STATE PARLIAMENTARIAN 2020-2021

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reporter-historian's farewell Texas FBLA, this is it. It has been a wild journey these past four years, but I loved every moment of it. FBLA has given me some of my most meaningful memories and my closest friends. I will be eternally grateful for this opportunity that gave me experiences that I would never have fathomed.

Mrs. Crook, Mrs. Matlock, and Mrs. Clayton: thank you for being the sweetest advisors and taking good care of me. From guiding me and giving some of the greatest advice, I would not be able to do what I did this year without y'all.

My State Action Team: thank you for being the best friends and family I could have asked for. From our late-night games of playing Things and murderer in the dark, inside jokes such as shirts off and "shhh you're dead", and to simply just being by each other's sides, I could not have asked for a better officer team.

My Local Chapter: thank you for being a part of my FBLA journey and encouraging me to better myself. I remember being scared to run for my first position for my chapter and then being scared to run for state, but I was able to do so as y'all gave me the courage to push myself to run for this position.

And of course, Mom, Dad, and Sissi: thank you for being supportive of me and getting me through it all. From simply driving me to school for competition to being my backbone all through my life, words are not enough to express my gratitude and love.

And remember, Texas FBLA Together Towards Tomorrow. Forever.

Lynn Nie TEXAS STATE REPORTER HISTORIAN 2020-2021

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area 1 vp's farewell Texas FBLA, I can’t believe this is it! The end of SLC is already here.

I look back at the person I was when I first joined FBLA, and see how much I’ve grown. When I first joined FBLA, I joined because I thought it would be a good way to have something to write on my college application.

But FBLA became more than just something to put on a piece of paper, it became a place where I learned how to lead, step out of my comfort zone, and connect with others.

Mrs. Crook, Mrs. Matlock, Mrs. Clayton, Mrs. Perez, Mrs. Lane, and Mrs. Hernandez: Thank you for guiding me through my term in office, and for helping me.

My State Action Team: Thank you for helping me grow into a better leader, and for becoming some of my greatest friends.

My friends and family: Thank you for always encouraging me and supporting me in any way you could every step of the way.

Texas FBLA, thank you for this amazing opportunity. With all of you, we were able to go “Together Towards Tomorrow.”

I love you FBLA, and I thank you for being my family!

Alyah Conde AREA 1 STATE VICE PRESIDENT 2020-2021

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area 2 vp's farewell After four unforgettable years with FBLA, it’s time to say goodbye; and honestly, what an experience. Since freshman year this organization has given me nothing but the best.

From exhilarating competitions to priceless trips, I can't believe it's already ending. The opportunity to serve you, the members, has been a true blessing.

There has been nothing more rewarding than watching my local chapter, Area 2, and the state as a whole excel along the way.

It hasn't been without its challenges, especially this year.

Money shortfalls, membership decrease and trip cancellations due to an unforeseen force have truly tested the organization on a grand scale.

However, what it has reminded me as I ponder our situation and the future is that the organization's worth lies solely within the membership. With this in mind I've done my best in the past to make each member's experience top notch with the help of all my past officers, and advisors… especially Mr. Villa and the state advisors.

It is now time though to pass this massive responsibility onto the next generation of FBLA leaders, and have faith in them to always take us together towards tomorrow.

Farewell FBLA!

Alexander Rodriguez AREA 2 STATE VICE PRESIDENT 2020-2021

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area 3 vp's farewell There have been highs and lows, but no matter what I have always been able to find my place in Texas FBLA. I have met so many inspirations to me and traveled to so many beautiful cities to partake in this amazing organization.

I am eternally grateful for Mrs. Crook, Mrs. Clayton, and especially Mrs. Matlock who has been my advisor for the majority of my high school career, you all have helped me grow into the leader I am today through your constant motivation and wisdom.

There is no greater gift I can receive than the knowledge y’all have instilled in me.

Lastly I would like to thank my mother and father who have insured that I could participate in this amazing club and have supported me through the ups and downs.

Thank you Texas FBLA for all of the memories and amazing people that I have met along the way.

Together we will move Together Towards Tomorrow.

This is your Area 3 Vice-President signing out, goodbye.

Grayson Harris AREA 3 STATE VICE PRESIDENT 202O-2021

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area 4 vp's farewell Well Texas FBLA, the 2020-2021 year has come to an end, and with it my term serving as your Area 4 Vice President. This year has brought me so many memories and happiness that I will hold with me forever.

Not only did I meet wonderful people, but I also gained useful skills. My state officer team, my friends, and my forever FBLA family gave me laughs and brought me to tears as the time came closer and closer to say goodbye. The entire year we bonded and became closer. I will forever hold our time together in my heart and remember all the good times we spent with each other. FBLA has taught me so many things from public speaking to networking. All those things I will use in aspects of my personal life and work life. Who knew that such a fun club could teach someone such important skills. Well I didn’t at first and now I’m a better person for what I have learned. FBLA has filled me with memories for a lifetime. And no, I’m not just talking about my time as a state officer, but also my time as a regular member. The trips to SLC and NLC was filled with fun adventures that I got to experience with my local chapter.

Experiencing the new cities and experiences is something I could’ve never dreamed of. And looking back at the photos now, all I can do is smile at the memories. Even though we didn’t have an SLC, and I didn’t get to say goodbye in the traditional way, I'm so thankful for this opportunity and couldn't have asked for anything more. Thank you Texas FBLA for bringing me happiness, memories, skills, and smiles. You are forever in my heart.

This is goodbye from your former Area 4 Vice President, Amina Rose. Goodbye!

Amina Rose AREA 4 STATE VICE PRESIDENT 2020-2021

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area 5 vp's farewell Texas FBLA, for some reason it never dawned on me that I would ever actually have to say goodbye to this organization, but it seems like the time has come.

Though my time with FBLA is coming to an end, the many things I’ve learned through this club will stick with me for a lifetime- the most prominent one being the importance of taking risks.

None of what I’ve learned and experienced through FBLA would be possible without the many wonderful people I was fortunate enough to meet along my journey so I’d like to start off by thanking my advisor Mr. Clark Saunders for helping me every step of the way and my fellow chapter officers at Seven Lakes.

You guys made every meeting and social so much fun.

Thank you Mrs.Crook, Mrs.Matlock, and Mrs.Clayton for all the effort you put into bringing Texas FBLA to life.

Thank you to my State Action team for all the nights of staying up later than we should have, for all the games of murder in the dark, and for loving chalupas as much as I do.

Thank you to my friends and relatives, who I am beyond lucky to have in my life.

And of course, thank you to my mom and dad, who’ve always been there for me even when I’ve made it difficult; and to my brother, Keerat, who, despite his young age, has always offered me the best advice.

Lastly, thank you Texas FBLA, for everything.

Tabina Hassan AREA 5 STATE VICE PRESIDENT 2020-2021

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area 6 vp's farewell Well, guys, it’s over.

This year has been such a great experience, I always kinda took FBLA as something that everyone joined for the cool trips.

But getting to learn how much work gets put in to make those trips and things possible was astounding, and I'm so thankful for the lessons and things I've experienced.

I’d like to give a huge thank you to this year's officer team. Y’all are some of the coolest people, and I’m so thankful that through FBLA I was given the chance to meet you guys.

And of course Mrs. Crook I am definitely gonna miss our trips and trying to cram all of our stuff into your car. Thank you for putting up with me, keeping me in line, and for listening whenever I just need to rant or need life advice. I couldn’t have made it through high school or FBLA without you.

Texas FBLA I wish you the best, and to our incoming officers: Congratulations, and good luck.

I hope you keep working Together Towards Tomorrow’ and cherishing the many memories you will make with each other along the way.

Signing out,

Allison Ruiz AREA 6 STATE VICE PRESIDENT 2020-2021

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area 7 vp's farewell Texas FBLA, this is it.

The end is finally here.

After four years of putting my heart and soul into this organization, it has come time to say goodbye. FBLA has brought to me an endless amount of memories, and I leave with no regrets.

I want to say thank you to Mrs. Crook, Mrs. Clayton, Mrs. Matlock, and my state action team for the support that they have given me.

Thank you to my advisor, Wesley Haynes, for encouraging me every day to make a better version of myself. It still feels like yesterday we were jamming to R&B music from the 90s in your red Jeep with the windows down.

Thank you to my friends and family for being a constant inspiration to strive for growth every day. To everyone I’ve met along my journey, you’ve inspired me to bring Texas FBLA “Together Towards Tomorrow”, and I am hoping that the legacy that I and this year’s state action team leaves will stick with you all.

I hope that you continue to make FBLA a part of your life, and with that being said, this is your State Area 7 Vice President, signing out!

See you soon FBLA!

Monique Tran AREA 7 STATE VICE PRESIDENT 2020-2021

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THANKS FOR READING!