Calvert County Students Excel on National Stage at FBLA Leadership Conference

Calvert County Public Schools (CCPS) is proud to announce that four outstanding students achieved national recognition at the 2025 Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) National Leadership Conference (NLC), held June 29–July 2 in Anaheim, California. The event drew thousands of student competitors from across the United States to showcase their business knowledge, leadership skills, and career readiness in one of the premier student conferences in the country.

Representing Calvert County and the state of Maryland, the following students earned top honors:

• Ada Marciniak, Northern High School – 5th place in the nation in Business Law
• Ihnaya Mason, Huntingtown High School – 5th place in the nation in Computer Problem Solving
• Amaria Jenkins, Huntingtown High School – 7th place in the nation in Organizational Leadership
• Gentry Bowie, Northern High School – Honored as Maryland’s “Who’s Who in FBLA” recipient

The National Leadership Conference provides FBLA members with the opportunity to demonstrate their academic and career skills through competitive events, network with peers from across the nation, and participate in professional development workshops. This year's event, held in Anaheim, emphasized innovation, global awareness, and leadership in the modern business world.

For the students, the experience extended far beyond competition. “Walking across that stage, especially as the only woman, is surely an experience I'll never forget,” said Ihnaya Mason, reflecting on the significance of her achievement.

Amaria Jenkins spoke to the personal and professional growth sparked by preparing for and attending the event: “The experience showed me that FBLA is so much bigger than our chapter or school. The weeks leading up to the NLC helped improve my study habits and inspired me to dream big – walking that stage in front of thousands of people and being a national winner.

Meeting new people and feeling the energy was such an amazing opportunity. I cannot wait for next year!”

Lynne Gillis, FBLA advisor at Huntingtown High School, emphasized the dedication behind

these accomplishments: “Success in FBLA isn’t just about competition – it’s about commitment. These students turned hard work and determination into a national championship win.”

FBLA is one of the nation’s leading Career and Technical Student Organizations, dedicated to preparing students for careers in business, entrepreneurship, and leadership. As part of Career and Technical Education (CTE) in Calvert County Public Schools, FBLA gives students the chance to apply classroom learning in real-world settings, gain leadership experience, and compete on local, state, and national levels.

For more information about FBLA or Career and Technical Education programs in Calvert County Public Schools, visit www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/cte.