Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) students earned impressive honors at the 2026 Virginia Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) State Leadership Conference competitive events held this spring. The conference featured more than 70 events across a wide range of career and industry fields, including hospitality, marketing, finance, technology, and leadership.
Representing several PWCS high schools, students achieved top placements in both individual and team events, showcasing their talents, skills, and commitment to excellence.
Several PWCS students advanced to the FBLA National Leadership Conference, held in San Antonio, Texas, in June. Students competing on the national stage included Thomas Hutchison of Woodbridge High in Financial Statement Analysis, Eliza Ijaz of Freedom High in Entrepreneurship, Drake Ludin of Charles J. Colgan Sr. High in Hospitality and Event Management, and Sayanora Sharon of Woodbridge High in Marketing.
Among the national competitors, Eliza Ijaz earned an outstanding second-place finish in Entrepreneurship, marking a first for Freedom.
"FBLA provides students with opportunities to apply what they learn in our Business and Information Technology courses to authentic learning experiences that challenge them to think critically, communicate effectively, and lead with confidence,” said Christine Good, supervisor of Career and Technical Education in PWCS. “Their success reflects not only their hard work and dedication but also their readiness to thrive in an increasingly complex, connected, and evolving global workforce."
Each year, FBLA helps prepare more than 230,000 middle school, high school, and college students for careers in business through academic competitions, leadership development, and career-focused learning experiences. Learn more about the organization on the FBLA Website.