More than 9,600 American high school students traveled to Southern California this summer to establish their own Legacy of Leadership as they competed for the opportunity to win more than $170,000 in cash awards.

The Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) National Leadership Conference was held June 29 through July 2 in Anaheim. Participants from across the United States and abroad attended this conference to enhance their business skills, expand their networks and participate in more than 70 business and business-related competitive events.

Amy Poropatich from Norfolk Christian Schools received national recognition at the FBLA Awards of Excellence Program on July 2.

“Amy worked really hard,” said Teresa Anderson, FBLA adviser and Suffolk resident. “She competed against 109 other contestants from across the United States. It takes a lot of dedication to compete at the national level. She is Norfolk Christian Schools’ first national finalist and first place national winner. I am so proud of her. I would also like to thank prize sponsor Ringling College of Art and Design for their generous cash prize contribution and the many supporters who listened and critiqued her presentation.”

Poropatich competed in graphic design and brought home first place. She was “hired” as a graphic designer for a new family entertainment center and tasked to provide a branding package for the owners that would include a name, logo, theme, store front design, interior and exterior signage and menu boards. Poropatich named the business “Beach Bums” — an indoor beach that included an innovative dome to create the ultimate beach atmosphere.

The award was part of a comprehensive national competitive events program sponsored by FBLA-PBL that recognizes and rewards excellence in a broad range of business and career-related areas. For many students, the competitive events are the capstone activity of their academic careers; however, Poropatich is only a rising sophomore.

In addition to competitions, students immersed themselves in interactive workshops, visited an information-packed exhibit hall and heard from motivational speakers on a broad range of business topics.