Clarke Central High School Future Business Leaders of America Vice President of Competitions Adrian Rangel, a junior, poses in the CCHS stairwell on Nov. 29. Rangel learned that he placed first in FBLA’s American Enterprise Day Essay Contest on Nov. 28 and reflected on its importance to CCHS. “I feel strongly about the importance of business here in the United States and improving it,” Rangel said. “The importance of this contest is that it helps students and the school recognize how business impacts us in our everyday lives.” Photo by Angel Jara
FBLA Vice President of Competition Adrian Rangel, a junior, won FBLA’s American Enterprise Day Essay Contest for the second year in a row.
On. Nov. 28, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Vice President of Competitions Adrian Rangel, a junior, placed first in FBLA’s American Enterprise Day Essay Contest for the second consecutive year. Freshmen Naomi Benavides and George McCown took home second and third place respectively.
FBLA’s American Enterprise Day Essay Contest is a school-wide contest that prompted Clarke Central High School students to write a 500-word essay about the importance of the free enterprise system in America. Rangel won $50 for placing first, while Benavides and McCown won credit for an upcoming bake sale at CCHS.
“I was surprised (when I heard that I won). I worked hard to write this essay and I know there were other competitors and I believe they were strong with their essays as well,” Rangel said. “I feel glad because I’m really passionate about business, and winning this essay validates the idea that I can be knowledgeable in business.”
Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education department teacher and FBLA adviser Jaclyn Brown selected the contest winners. Brown, who has taught Rangel for the past three years, holds his character to a high esteem and cites his experience as a factor in his contest victory.
“Adrian is a very hard worker and dedicated. He takes his education very seriously. He’s a no-nonsense kind of guy (but) he can laugh and have fun sometimes, which he does enjoy.”
— Jaclyn Brown,
FBLA adviser
“This is (Adrian’s) second time winning, so he knows the rules, and he puts in his best effort. He’s also been in my class so we’ve talked about some of those protocols and how you’re supposed to set your essay up in class,” Brown said. “Adrian is a very hard worker and dedicated. He takes his education very seriously. He’s a no-nonsense kind of guy (but) he can laugh and have fun sometimes, which he does enjoy.”
Brown believes that the contest is important as it allows participants to gain a better appreciation of free enterprise in America.
“(The contest) allowed them to open up and see and really have a love and a positive experience because America is so different,” Brown said. “Anybody can come here, no matter where you’re from, and be able to thrive.”
