OXFORD ACADEMY FBLA
NEWSLETTER V O L U M E
1 ,
I S S U E
1
•
D E C E M B E R
O X F O R D F B L A
FBLA
N E W S L E T T E R
Board Message • P. 2
Happy holidays patriots!
Academy
A C A D E M Y
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TIS' THE SEASON, PATRIOTS! Oxford
2 0 2 0
is
proud
to
present
our
very first newsletter! Inside, you can find advices
Event Recap • P. 6
and messages from our 2020-21 board, thoughts on some past events (with a special guest), and
Upcoming Events • P. 20
some new updates on future events. Read more about what we do and how SLC will work! Contact Us • P. 21
WHAT IS FBLA?
Service, Education, and Progress.
FBLA is a national organization dedicated to teaching students about the skills and traits needed for the business world through hands-on projects, lectures, and competition. Our mission is to bring business and education together in a positive working relationship through innovative leadership and career development programs.
Goals Develop competent, aggressive business leadership Strengthen confidence of students in themselves and their work Create interest in and understanding of American business enterprise Encourage the development of individual projects to improve homes, business, and community Facilitate the transition from school to work Assist students in the establishment of career goals Encourage scholarship and promote school loyalty Encourage and practice sound financial management Develop character, prepare for useful citizenship, and foster patriotism
MEMBERS OF THE MONTHS Celline Lee • October 2020 Doris Kim • November 2020
Celline Lee
2 | What is FBLA & President's Corner
Doris Kim
PRESIDENTS' CORNER C I N D Y
T R A N
&
R A J
P A R E K H
For all of my FBLA Family: I hope this new year
brings
especially
new
successes
when
Sweepstakes,
here
it
and
comes we
come!
to
triumphs, FBLA
But
I
:)
don’t
forget to study hard by using our resource catalog, attending our study sessions, and asking veteran FBLA members for any help! Good luck studying, you got this!!!
Hello everyone! My name is Cindy Tran, and I serve
as
your
Oxford
Academy
FBLA
Co-
President. I’m extremely glad to have worked with
such
officer
a
team
dedicated this
year.
and We
hardworking
were
able
to
accomplish so much, from our new Adopt-aChapter School
collaboration to
involvement
our
with
Magnolia
extensive
inside
and
High
community
outside
Oxford
Academy, despite the challenges of COVID19.
While
working
out
these
projects
is
not
always easy, seeing once bare and scrappy ideas refined into events that hold value and memories
for
our
members
makes
my
FBLA
experience worth it. I am so excited to what our chapter will accomplish this year!
Board Message | 3
EDITORS' NOTES Seasons greeting everyone! By the time this newsletter comes out, finals should be over and we can finally kick back and enjoy the break! I am really proud to present our very own first FBLA newsletter, and I can't wait until everyone else sees this! I am really honored to serve as your publicist, and I feel as though being in FBLA has grown me as a person, as I was able to
meet
so
many
people
and
learn
so
much
about
this
organization and myself. Even though this may be our first newsletter, I sure know it isn't our last! But I can't believe a semester of online school has finally passed,
And
even
through
these
hard
times,
we
all
stuck
through and continued our normal lives! Good luck with second semester, everyone! And keep up the amazing work patriots! Stay safe and well, Hannah Woo
FBLA BOARD
"My advice to new FBLA members is to attend Section Conference because it is the best FBLA event of the year. Not only do you get to compete but you also get closer to the people in FBLA and participate in a lot of fun activities." - Shukan Shah
"I encourage you all to step out of your comfort zone and explore the FBLA community more." - Cindy Tran
"My most important piece of advice is to make sure that you take as many opportunities as given to you by FBLA - you
"My advice to anyone new to FBLA is to ask
never know what could happen!"
questions and for help when needed (we
- Catherine Ly
don’t bite), in order to bolster your knowledge and develop bonds within the FBLA family!" - Raj Parekh "One piece of advice: start studying early and study hard!"- Saloni Joshi
4 | Editor's Note & Board Advice
"My advice would be to participate in all of the activities that FBLA has to offer beyond Section Conference; you’ll learn a lot of valuable information and get closer with the FBLA family :D" - Grant Hyun
"My advice to any new FBLA members is to not be afraid to participate in the competitions and go out of your comfort
"One piece of advice I have for members is to participate in everything you can!" - Yash Chordia
zones!" - Jane Kwak
"My advice for you would be to approach each new experience with an open mind. If
"One tip for new FBLA members is to NOT
you believe that a new experience will have
procrastinate on studying for competitions!"
something good to offer, you’ll always find
- Hannah Woo
it." - Ethan Lee
"A piece of advice I would give is to choose topics for section conference that you are interested in since it can help you later on
"To new FBLA members, encourage your best friends to join as well because it makes the experience more fun!" - Erin Lee
in life." - Leann Vo
"One piece of advice I have is to network
"As a relatively new member myself, I would
with other individuals at conferences. It can
ask that our brand new members engage with
be scary approaching someone at first, but
the club as much as they can, before they
starting a simple conversation really helps
lose sight of personal goals (learn from my
(you can learn a lot)!" - Rahil Luthra
mistakes last year!!)" - Dawn Tran
"Some advice for those wishing to compete
"A piece of advice I have for new FBLA
this year is to start studying for your event
members is to not be afraid to try new
as early as possible."
things and to always be involved in different
- Anik Majumdar
activities." - Vanessa Tran
"One piece of advice I would have is to not be intimidated by the competition and feeling afraid of losing. No one wins on their first try, but that first step you put in along with hard work will definitely lead to success!" - Arvind Vivekanandan
"A piece of advice I have for incoming FBLA members is to attend all meetings! They matter more than you think and give people an opportunity to meet and get to know other club members better!" - Grishma Jain
"You get out what you put in, so try your best and that’s all we can ask for!" - Mr. Rylaarsdam
Board Message | 5
GOING ONLINE With
COVID-19
closing
down
still
running
schools,
we
rampant
had
to
and
change
our ways of planning for events and adapt to
making
board
everything
never
virtual.
expected
such
Our
a
FBLA
weird
and
unanticipated beginning because we have never
experienced
However,
despite
anything the
like
many
this.
technical
issues and challenges we faced, we were able to overcome them all and provide a fun,
educational,
and
engaging
events
and meetings. And we will continue doing our best, for however long it takes!
CINDY T. | CO-PRESIDENT
As we lost our 2020 State Leadership Conference, National Leadership Conference, and all our
Southern
craft
a
Section
meaningful
events,
it
experience
was for
almost an
discouraging
event
that
almost
to
continue
solely
trying
relies
on
to
the
successfully energy
and
excitement of the members attending. However, our Oxford Academy chapter made the best of our situation despite the transition to a virtual setting: We completed registration, Section Conference tryouts, and chapter projects without fail; experienced record-breaking general meeting attendances, with up to 90 members per meeting; and, with the leftover time on our hands, hosted interactive bonding events with our new friends from Kennedy, Magnolia, and Cypress High School. The board also began to focus more on qualifying for the Gold Seal Chapter Recognition and involving more members in our collaboration with our local business, Curry Kitchen. Even more, our Special Projects work with Mrs. Hale’s Business Pathway seventh graders has continued uninterrupted. While the pandemic greatly swayed us from our regular course of action, the Oxford Academy chapter has done amazingly regardless.
SHUKAN S. | TREASURER
Going virtual has presented a new realm of possibilities. Despite initial hardships, we were able to
able to adjust so quickly to the new environment. I can’t wait to see all the other creative events we
6 | Going Online
RAJ P. | CO-PRESIDENT
COVID-19 has presented the entire world with a new reality, one that is virtual and filled with Zoom
calls,
incredible
however,
innovation
it
has
and
also
afforded
adaptability.
Oxford
Being
FBLA
the
Co-President
opportunity
has
allowed
to
me
showcase to
witness
our the
contributions made by several of our FBLA family on a macro level. I would for starters like to thank my partner Cindy Tran for an excellent job delegating and managing the club, as well as Mr.
Rylaarsdam,
these
trying
our
times!
advisor, I
also
who
has
appreciate
been the
a
cornerstone
VPs
and
JEOs,
of
support
who
have
and
guidance
persevered
to
during create
interactive activities such as guest speakers (Mayor of Cypress & Local Restaurateur) or even adopt-a-chapter with Magnolia High School! Lastly, a huge shoutout and overall appreciation to
our
dedicated
members
who
consistently
show
up
80-100
strong
to
our
meetings
and
informational workshops! The hard work of Board and General Members will surely come to fruition at our upcoming FBLA conferences!
create so many events and still spread FBLA’s message. We have such an amazing board that was
e come up with!
Event Recap | 7
GUEST SPEAKER: MAYOR JOHNSON From
our
brought discuss Mayor and
amazing
on his
Mayor
of
Cypress,
experience
Johnson
his
Chapter
during
describes
contribution
his
to
the
Project Rob his
VPs,
Johnson,
office
we to
terms.
accomplishments community.
He
provided an insight into how he dealt with the current Cypress
pandemic, Festival
such with
as
replacing
drive-in
theaters
Cypress College.
8 | Guest Speaker: Mayor Johnson
the at
VANESSA T. | JEO
Mayor Johnson was able to speak with us about his experiences
and
answer
our
questions
regarding
his profession. He talked about how he became the mayor and shared great advice with us. Inviting the mayor to speak at our general meeting was part of the
Government
did
he
help
us
Awareness complete
Project.
it,
he
But,
was
not
only
to
give
able
great insight to students who might be interested in a career pathway similar to him. It was great being able
to
listen
Johnson
gave
to
all
us.
the
He
advice
and
explained
tips
how
Mayor
he
was
handling the COVID situations in Cypress, and how he
is
holding
Mayor
up
Johnson
with
the
speaking
pandemic.
at
our
Generally,
general
meeting
was an educational and enlightening experience.
ETHAN L. | VP OF SPECIAL PROJECT
My personal favorite part about being in FBLA is being able to work with leaders in our local community. Even though we're in a pandemic, that doesn't have to stop. We reached out to Mayor Johnson, and he was more than happy to come out and share some of his experience with
our
chapter.
The
meeting
with
Mayor
Johnson
had
a
very
high
turnout
with
over
80
attendees. There were some technical difficulties, but overall, the best part of the meeting was the wisdom that Mayor Johnson imparted on us.
LEANN V. | VP OF CHAPTER PROJECT
As one of the VPs of Chapter Projects, I wanted to complete as many chapter projects as possible this year despite the challenges we have faced due to the ongoing pandemic. We invited Guest Speaker Mayor Johnson not only to complete the Government Awareness Project but
to
give
Johnson
our
spoke
members
about
how
some he
insight
became
on the
how
Cypress
mayor
of
was
Cypress
handling as
well
the
as
pandemic.
gave
advice
Mayor to
our
members. In addition, he gave us a small look into how Cypress selects candidates for mayor and even spoke about his accomplishments as mayor. By having Mayor Johnson speak at one of our general meetings, we were able to host another general meeting to encourage other members
to
write
letters
to
government
officials
in
their
cities
to
inform
them
about
the
benefits of FBLA. Overall, this experience was very informative.
Event Recap | 9
GUEST SPEAKER: SID GANDHI From
our
hardworking
VPs
of
Partnership
with
Business, we also brought on Sid Gandhi, owner of Curry
Kitchen,
to
describe
his
passion
for
food,
hospitality, and connecting with and helping people. While also describing his experience in the business field, Gandhi also explains his charity work with CRY America, restore
a
non-profit
basic
organization
human
rights
to
that
seeks
to
underprivileged
children in India.
DAWN T. | JEO
There's a very humane connection when working with Mr. Gandhi. Supporting a business's growth while the establishment lends a hand to our chapter not only builds priceless rapport between
us
but
also
directly
pours
love
and
funds
right
back
into
our
community.
Mr.
Gandhi's work with CRY America is inspiring— really, the promised contributions will drive our chapter to place high in our events for charitable output. Business as a field tends to be portrayed
as
lucrative.
However,
bonds
like
our
partnership
with
Mr.
Gandhi
prove
that
business can be incentivized for the good of the community!
ERIN L. | PUBLICIST
Hearing about Mr. Gandhi's experiences was an eye-opening experience for me because it's not every day that I get to hear from someone who is a business owner. It provided really valuable insight into what the business world can be like and what drives someone to start a business. I also felt inspired, in a way, from working with him as he is so willing to give back to
the
community.
Entrepreneurs
are
often
seen
as
people
who
want
to
only
profit
for
themselves, but working with Mr. Gandhi has proved that this is not always the case through his work with CRY America. Overall this partnership has been a great learning experience for our chapter!
10 | Guest Speaker: Sid Gandhi
GRISHMA J. | JEO DIRECTOR
Hearing
Mr.
Gandhi's
story
and
his
current
actions that help support the underprivileged community
was
incredibly
heartwarming
during these testing times. With the ongoing pandemic,
there
restaurants,
are
countless
hotels,
gyms,
stories and
of
other
businesses struggling to pay employees. Many of
those
one
day
held
for
any
who
were
only
to
several
more.
been
incredibly
went
to
hear
that
the
job
years
was
not
theirs
this
year
While
difficult
employees
for
selfless
the and
has
Curry
they
had
to
call
undoubtedly
Kitchen,
inspiring
work
to
it
was
hear
of
someone giving back to the community, even as they may struggle financially.
"WE PRIDE OURSELVES IN OFFERING THE COMMUNITY FRESH AND WHOLESOME INGREDIENTS OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY THAT IS LOCALLY SOURCED." Event Recap | 11
PARTNERSHIP WITH BUSINESS COMMITTEE MEETINGS
RAHIL L. | VP OF PARTNERSHIP OF BUSINESS
As
our
incredible
VPS
of
of
the
VP's
of
Partnership
with
Business, I wanted to make sure we found a way to include our members in this new virtual world. The Partnership with Business Committee helped
worked
the
members!
perfectly
business
When
I
and
logged
because
impacted on
for
the
it
our first
meeting, I was nervous that people would be
Through
one
hesitant
to
participate.
On
the
Partnership
contrary, they were all super excited and with
Business,
we
partnered
with
our
local
happy business,
Curry
Kitchen,
to
help
to
contribute.
We
were
able
to
them
successfully
update
Curry
Kitchen's
achieve a goal, such as more engagement in
Instagram each
post.
These
meetings
are
held
and
help
them
gain
over
100
the
followers.
It
has
truly
been
a
great
forward
to
future
second Saturday every month at 11 AM. And
experience students plan events and help create posts
meetings! for
Curry
Kitchen,
and
sometimes
students
may earn volunteer hours for their hard work.
12 | Partnership with Business Committee Meetings
and
I
look
ANIK M. | VP OF PARTNERSHIP OF BUSINESS
With
everything
initially
not
Business
going
sure
virtual
how
committee
our
this
year,
I
was
Partnership
would
play
out.
with After
brainstorming potential businesses to partner with,
we
Kitchen, are
decided
a
local
limited
in
to
Indian
our
partner
with
restaurant.
scope
of
Curry
Since
activities
due
we to
the pandemic we decided to focus away from hands-on
and
in-person
activities
such
as
volunteering events, instead of focusing upon what
could
During
our
realistically
committee
be
done
meetings,
virtually.
we
decided
to focus on social media marketing, where we created
posts
for
Curry
Kitchen's
page and discussed ways to make their page more appealing to customers. Even though our committee meeting turnout wasn't a high as I had
expected,
our
members
and participated a lot.
were
HANNAH W. | PUBLICIST
engaged
I
remember
when
I
first
signed
up
for
the
Partnership with Business committee, I was confused
about
how
this
would
work.
But,
when I went to one of the meetings, it was super
interesting
captions
for
members.
I
and
Instagram brought
cool posts
some
of
to
create
with my
other
outside
experience with social media and applied it here. It's crazy to think I can work for and influence a real business and its decisions, which
kinda
understanding
gave and
me
a
perspective
better of
how
today's marketing works. And it showed the importance of creative marketing to reach out
to
helpful
new and
customers! insightful
This
was
opportunity,
such and
a
I've
learned a lot through this, but it was also very
fulfilling
to
give
back
to
the
community. And I'm really excited to go to the next one! :)
Event Recap | 13
SHARK TANK ACTIVITIES Lead
by
our
VPs
of
Special
Projects,
we
started
the Shark Tank activities, which taught 7th to 8th graders economic concepts! Our VPs worked with our school's CTE class to stimulate the real-world enterprise
system
for
7th
and
8th
graders
by
assigning groups and having them create an idea or
innovation
our
Shark
they
Tank
would
Activities,
want we
to
pitch.
were
able
Through to
show
young students how to be involved in any business in
today's
economy
and
the
importance
of
innovation, presentation, and communication skills to succeed in any professional setting.
ARVIND V. | VP OF SPECIAL PROJECTS
Yash,
Aaryan
and
I
all
worked
to
organize
and
hold a Shark Tank activity with Oxford's 7th-grade business
CTE
students
as
well
as
the
7th/8th
graders of Cambridge Virtual Academy. The main purpose
of
this
event
was
to
introduce
these
young students to the American Enterprise System and have them participate in an engaging activity to learn. I personally found this rewarded for not only
the
students
but
for
us
as
well
because
we
were able to learn a lot from these students and the bright ideas and pitches they brought forward. It was impressive to see how these kids were able to create a project idea (and even some product demos!)
in
a
few
days
and
pitch
it
in
a
professional manner. I hope that we can keep the Shark
Tank
Special
activity
a
Projects
entrepreneurship
and
yearly to
tradition
continue
business
stage!
14 | Shark Tank Activities
with
from
FBLA's
promoting an
early
YASH C. | VP OF SPECIAL PROJECTS
Over the past three weeks, Aaryan, Arvind, and
I
have
separate Hale's
shark
7th
Hale's
worked
together
tank
grade
7th/8th
to
activities
Oxford
combo
host with
Mrs.
and
Mrs.
class.
The
class
CVA
two
activity with the 7th graders spanned two sessions.
The
presentation System
as
first on
part
session
the of
consisted
American the
of
a
Enterprise
special
projects
report requirement, and we reviewed some sample
pitches
brainstorm pitch.
how
The
7th
from to
shark
create
graders
tank
an
then
to
effective used
this
information to work with a team to come back
3
days
later
and
present
live
to
a
panel of Aaryan, Arvind, and myself. In the experience with the 7th/8th-grade combo class, the students also participated in a similar presentation, but this time worked with
their
team
to
create
a
video
submission for a pitch. Across both of the classes,
the
VP's
of
special
projects
got
the opportunity to hear some enthusiastic, determined innovative extremely
students ideas.
pitching
The
rewarding
brilliant,
experience
for
us
in
was
that
it
allowed us to teach, share our knowledge, and
generate
interest
for
the
American
Enterprise System. We received wonderful feedback from the students and Mrs. Hale after completing the activity as well!
Event Recap | 15
SLC TRYOUTS With
the
staggering
efforts
of
our
VPs
of
Competitive
Events,
FBLA
held
our
very
first
SLC
tryouts online. Through our web-based learning management system, Schoology, we were able to host tryouts for all objective, prejudged, role play, and speaking events. And while studying will be difficult for our competitors, we wish everyone the best of luck with their studies!
GRANT H. | VP OF COMPETITVE EVENTS
There was a lot to change for tryouts this year, and it seemed overwhelming at first. We faced issues
that
became
magnified
because
of
the
online
setting,
such
as
creating
a
tryout
schedule for all of the objective events in one day and ensuring that everyone does not cheat while taking their tryout test. We are quite lucky to have a platform like Schoology because of its
features
like
Conferences
and
taking
official
tests
and
quizzes.
Although
navigating
Schoology and setting everything up was confusing, it paid off in the end. I think all of the tryouts went smoothly and everyone did not have much trouble taking part in tryouts. Now that we got the biggest hurdle out of the way, now all of our attention is on Section Conference and
preparing
for
another
year
of
Sweepstakes.
I
hope
everyone
continues
to
study
hard
leading up to SSLC, and Jane and I will do our best to create study sessions that can provide a lot of members valuable support to succeed!
JANE K. | VP OF COMPETITVE EVENTS
Trying
to
jjjkjkjkjk.
determine
and
plan
the
method
.........jhjhjh
for
tryouts
was
compared prevent/
definitely
to
past
deter
more
years.
cheating
difficult
We for
had
this to
year
try
objective
to
events
and prevent any schedule conflicts. Even using Schoology turned out to be more difficult than expected members
due and
to
issues
ensuring
with that
adding Grant
all
and
of I
the
could
run the test offs successfully. Still, despite these initial struggles, test-offs went really well with the
majority
being ensure
able that
of to
the do
people so.
everyone
We who
we
needed
were signed
even up
to
test
able for
to
SSLC
was able to receive at least one event! I hope that,
despite
the
virtual
setting,
studies hard and does well at SSLC!
16 | SLC Tryouts & FBLA Social Event
everyone
FBLA SOCIAL EVENT
OXFORD X CYPRESS X KENNEDY X MAGNOLIA Organized
by
our
VP
of
Membership,
we
hosted
our
very
first
online
social
with
Cypress,
Kennedy, and Magnolia high school! We were able to meet and bond with other FBLA members from 7th to 12th grade. The social was divided into two rooms that students can join! Students could choose to watch Black Panther or play games, such as Scribbl.io, Club Penguin, and more!
CATHERINE L. | VP OF MEMBERSHIP
To be honest, initially, I was worried that not that many people would come to the event or would find it boring. However, I knew right away when the event started that it wouldn't be the case; there were over 30 people in attendance from all the schools from 7th to 12th grade. Everyone (basically) stayed to finish Black Panther even though we went overtime, and the game room was so fun! Everyone was participating and we enjoyed bonding through playing so many games and just talking with each other (FBLA kids are cool and don't just study). I think that the fact that it was virtual actually made it easier for people to come because we didn't
have
to
worry
about
commuting
or
facilities.
I
definitely
look
forward
to
planning
another one in the near future :)
Event Recap | 17
SALONI J. | SECRETARY
In the beginning of the year, I was a bit concerned about how we would be able to maintain membership
engagement
in
a
virtual
setting,
but
this
joint
social
allowed
members
to
connect with other FBLA members throughout the district through fun games and enjoying their Saturday with a nice movie. The game room definitely seemed like a blast and members in the movie room were so engaged in watching Black Panther that even when we announced the bonding event to be over, members still stayed in the room to finish the movie! Although I did
not
see
as
many
general
members
from
Oxford
Academy
FBLA
as
I
expected,
I
still
consider the bonding event to be a success because although it was in a virtual setting, it gave members the opportunity to build connections with each other informally. I really hope we organize another joint social like this in the near future! :)
18 | FBLA Social Event
Special Guest
PULKIT G. | CHS FBLA PRESIDENT
It was an awesome event filled with great people! I personally was in the game room and we had a ton of fun messing around and playing games like Shell Shockers
(an
egg
multiplayer
shooter)
and
Club
Penguin. We even had a bit of a roast battle at the end.
Event Recap | 19
UPCOMING EVENTS
Some events may or may not be present
2021 Southern Section Leadership Conference Where: Online (More Updates will come soon) Date: February 2-6, 2021 Time: TBD
Partnership with General Business Meetings Committee Meetings Where: Google Meeting Date: Asynchronous Second Saturday Wednesday of Every Month Time: 1:35 11 AM PM - 2:40 PM
Partnership with General Business Meetings Committee Meetings Where: Google Meeting Date: Second Asynchronous Saturday Wednesday of Every Month Time: 11 1:35 AM PM - 2:40 PM
20 | Upcoming Events
OUR CONTACTS
Club Email oxfordacademyfbla@gmail.com Cindy Tran | Co-president cindyphuongtran@gmail.com Raj Parekh | Co-president rajparekh.us@gmail.com Mr. Rylaarsdam | Advisor rylaarsdam_m@auhsd.us @oafbla Oxford Academy FBLA Linktree: @OAFBLA Website: oxfordacademyfbla.wixsite.com/2021
Our Contacts | 21
