The Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) National Leadership Conference was held in Anaheim, California this year from June 29 through July 2. The event put more than 9,000 of the nation’s top-performing high school students in a competition for the opportunity to win more than $170,000 in cash awards.

The conference is an opportunity for participants to enhance their business skills, expand their networks, and participate in more than 70 business and business related competitive events.

John Bevevino, a senior at Warren Area Career Center, competed in FBLA this year for the first time. The competition begins with regional competitions, in which 14 Warren Area Career Center students competed, with 12 scoring high enough to qualify for the state competition. At states, Bevevino scored second, which moved him on to the national competition.

Bevevino took fourth place in Computer Problem Solving at this year’s FBLA national competition, receiving national recognition at the FBLA Awards of Excellence program on July 2.

“We are so very proud of him,” said James Evers, Warren County Career Center principal. Bevevino’s FBLA advisor, Jessica Tundell, said that Bevevino worked with his classmates to prepare for the competition, which is basically a test on the curriculum students learn throughout the year.

“He’s got a lot of passion for the subject,” said Tundell.

Bevevino said that he plans to take some college prep classes at the Hiram G. Andrews center in Johnstown, Pa., this summer before hopefully pursuing college-level training there in the computer problem solving field. His hope, he said, is to eventually work in the field.

Terri and Randy Bevevino, John’s parents, said that they are “very proud” of John. “He’s come a long way,” said Randy. “I want to thank the school and the teachers. They’ve done a tremendous job,” adding that the Warren County Career Center is something that “more people should look into.”

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