SPRUCE PINE — Harris Middle School students Brinkley Hodshon, Allie Johnson and Ivy Young earned a first-place finish at the Future Business Leaders of America Nationals earlier this month in the critical thinking competitive event.
The trio of girls earned the right to compete nationally after earning a first-place finish in the FBLA state competitive critical thinking events.
FBLA Nationals were set to be held in Salt Lake City, Utah, but were held virtually due to COVID-19.
The girls were given a case study about a problem or opportunity in their FBLA chapter and were given 15 minutes to come up with a solution. They then gave a five-minute presentation in front of a group of international business judges.
The girls were rated on how well they defined and understood the problem, that alternatives were recognized with pros and cons stated and evaluated, that a logical solution was selected and that they demonstrated knowledge and understanding of critical thinking concepts.
“This is definitely a milestone I won’t forget,” Johnson said.
Participants were also judged based on how well organized and delivered their statements were and their use of eye contact, voice projection, gestures and posture.
“Winning has been so incredible,” Hodshon said. “People I haven’t met are proud of me and my team.”