Students from the Engineering and Science University Magnet School (ESUMS) achieved historic success at the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) National Leadership Conference (NLC). The conference, held this summer in San Antonio, Texas, brought together thousands of the brightest young minds from across the United States, China, Canada, and other countries.
The FBLA NLC serves as a premier workforce-simulated environment where top students showcase their leadership skills and technology talents through highly competitive events. Attending the conference gives students critical exposure to real-world corporate demands, empowering them to bridge academic work with future career readiness. For these students, the journey to the national stage was not merely about building a resume; it was a deeply personal testament to overcoming self-doubt, finding their voices, and proving what is possible. Students attend interactive career workshops, engage directly with fortune 500 companies and top-tier university recruiters, and collaborate with leaders from across the world and they have represented ESUMS and New Haven School District with absolute excellence.
Top National Placements
· Sahithi Aliminate – 5th Place, Public Service Announcement (Sahithi is also serving in the top position for the state serving as our State of Connecticut FBLA President for the 26-27 school year.)
· Zeina Al Haddad – 5th Place, Public Speaking
· Asia Murphy – 8th Place, Visual Design
Gold Champion Chapter Award
In addition, Our students also earned the prestigious Gold Champion Chapter Award at both the state and national levels. This top honor proves our students showed outstanding teamwork, a deep commitment to community service and business, technology, and soft skills. Earning this title at both the state and national levels highlights the hard work of our students and adviser. They spent the entire school year running impactful community projects, developing ideas, and competing with excellence.
Industry Certification Earners
Beyond the competitive stage, seven ESUMS students went above and beyond standard coursework to earn prestigious, industry-recognized credentials. This achievement aligns directly with Connecticut’s strategic workforce development standards, which emphasize expanding industry credentials and connecting education directly to career preparation. Just another benefit of FBLA beyond competitive events!
Zeina Al Haddad, Sahithi Aliminate, Shahd Mahaini, Sham Mahaini, Asia Murphy, Phani Nandam,and Ahmed Soliman successfully mastered rigorous national testing to secure the A*S*K Fundamentals of Ethics Certification and the W!SE Financial Literacy Certification.
· A*S*K Fundamentals of Ethics: This credential measures a student's mastery of core business ethics, accountability, and professional conduct. Earning it demonstrates a deep understanding of ethical decision-making frameworks required in modern corporate leadership and business operations.
· W!SE Financial Literacy Certification: This exam evaluates a student's ability to navigate complex economic landscapes. Passing students earn the official Certified Financially Literate (CFL) credential, proving they possess essential, real-world skills in budgeting, personal taxation, saving, investments, and smart credit management.
"These amazing national placements and professional certifications prove our students are not just preparing for the future—they are building a foundation to lead it. The organization provides avenues for students to gain tangible career assets alongside standard national accolades, proving they are ready to meet the evolving demands of today's business landscape," said Lakesha Kirkland, ESUMS FBLA chapter advisor.
About ESUMS FBLA
The Engineering and Science University Magnet School (ESUMS) FBLA chapter dedicates itself to preparing students for careers in leadership and business and technology. By blending rigorous academic preparation with competitive events, professional development, and community service, the chapter empowers the next generation of industry leaders. FBLA is the largest business career and technical student organization in the world. It focuses on preparing high school students to become community-minded business leaders through rigorous academic testing, presentation-based events, and leadership development programs. By bridging the gap between classroom theory and real-world execution, FBLA gives young innovators a platform to sharp-shoot their skills before entering college or the workforce.