East High Graduate Qualifies for FBLA Nationals

This summer, East High Class of 2025 graduate Meya Elam made history as the first student in over 12 years to qualify for the FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) National Conference. She earned second place in the state competition for personal finance, securing a spot at nationals, held at the Anaheim Convention Center in California.

“This was big for us,” said Roderick Allen, East High business educator and chair of the Hazelwood School District FBLA program. “Meya dominated districts, then took second at state. The top four go to nationals, and it was incredibly exciting to see her get there.”

The Future Business Leaders of America program is similar to a school club; however, it is recognized as a national organization where students compete against other schools in 52 different events, ranging from public speaking to information technology to cybersecurity. Students can qualify for state competitions by placing in the top four at districts or through "straight to state" events on presentation topics like community service, real estate, and personal finance. 

FBLA competitions advance from districts to state to nationals, with the top performers progressing at each level. District competitions are held in November, and state competitions are held before spring, around February. National competitions are held at the end of the school year, in June and July. Twelve to fifteen members are taken to district competitions at Mid Rivers Mall in St. Peters, to increase participation to at least 22 members this school year. Missouri holds the most FBLA chapters across the country.

A celebrated athlete, Meya played both softball and basketball while at East High, earning recognition as the most valuable player on her basketball team. Her competitive drive gave her the edge she needed to qualify for the nationals.

“Meya was focused, but I think she approached it as a sport, as a challenge, as an athlete would in a sport,” Allen added.

In the fall, Meya will begin her college journey at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. 

As far as the future of the FBLA program, Allen is excited to expand beyond co-op students, as this is one of their requirements.

“We would like to grow it where we could pull from robotics to compete in the robotics or cybersecurity events,” Allen detailed. “We want to pull from journalism. We want to pull from a lot of different places, not just co-op, so we can say we are Hazelwood, and these young people are our talents!”

The Hazelwood School District is proud of Meya’s remarkable accomplishment and looks forward to the expansion of the FBLA program.