Odessa FBLA chapter recognized

NEWARK, Del. - A total of 39 middle school and high school teams were selected June 15 as winners of the Lead4Change Challenge, part of the Lead4Change Student Leadership Program that teaches students leadership lessons such as critical thinking, problem-solving, communication and collaboration. Students use these skills to develop a service project that addresses a need in their community. Each year as we wrap up the Challenge, we at the Lift a Life Novak Family Foundation and the Foundation for Impact on Literacy and Learning are awed by the impact students have made in their school, community and the world. We are humbled by the highly committed educators willing to unleash and develop new leadership skills in middle and high school students. These are not just kind words – this is a testament to REAL leaders making REAL change.

Middle and high school students - teenagers - need to be emerging leaders. To do that with confidence and success, they must be equipped with the self-realization of their own leadership capacity and respect for the skills, talent and willingness of others.

Receiving a special award of $2,000 for demonstrating mentoring by student leaders is the Odessa High School FBLA chapter in Odessa, Washington. Working with Embrace Washington, this team advocated for and supported efforts to eliminate roadblocks and provide supplies for children in foster care. "The leadership skills these students develop as freshmen allows the chapter to succeed and grow. Upper-class students eagerly teach and mentor incoming students. This project had its risks, so we appreciated the lesson on You Have To Believe It Can Be Done" said FBLA adviser and business teacher Terri King.

When teenagers realize exactly how to "Be Your Best Self" and then how to use those skills to positively impact others - they are not going to be stopped. They are ready to Go Big! Be the Change! Lead and Serve!

The very best evidence we see each year is when students start with changes that need to happen right where they are. They make life better for their peers, for their families, for their community. They are not afraid to take on the most serious issues, the most sensitive topics and take their action to the highest and best places where change can occur and be sustained.

The Lift a Life Novak Family Foundation and the Foundation for Impact on Literacy and Learning are committed to developing emerging leaders. Odessa High School FBLA has participated in Lead4Change for six years. Over that time, they have won over $100,000 for local nonprofits through their service project entries in the Lead4Change Challenge.