Maria Kirstiens, a freshman at Summertown (Tenn.) High School, accepts her prize, a Samsung Galaxy 2 tablet, from MTSU professor K. Virginia Hemby-Grubb at the Future Business Leaders of America Region 4 Conference competition hosted Feb. 13 by MTSU. (photos submitted)

Tomorrow’s business leaders tested their savvy at MTSU and walked away with memories they’ll treasure forever.

Tennessee high-school students competed in exercises designed to help them hone their business skills at the Future Business Leaders of America Region 4 Conference on Feb. 13.

The contestants, representing 31 high schools and home-schooling associations, vied for top prizes in categories such as business ethics, global business, management decision-making, entrepreneurship, marketing, client service, impromptu speaking, job interviews and public speaking.

In the contests, teams of two or three students received case summaries and had about 20 minutes to come up with solutions to the issues at stake.

“Not only are the students given an opportunity to demonstrate and improve their skills, but professors can avail themselves of the opportunity to target outstanding students to recruit for future admissions,” said Dr. Martha Balachandran, a professor in the MTSU Department of Business Communication and Entrepreneurship.

The Tennessee Department of Education’s Career and Technical Education Division sponsored the event with organizing support from Balachandran, BCE instructor Kay Blasingame-Boike and BCE professor Dr. Wayne Rollins. Doug Tatum, holder of the Wright Chair of Entrepreneurship in the Jennings A. Jones College of Business, secured funding for prizes.

For more information, contact Balachandran at 615-898-2036 or Blasingame-Boike at 615-898-5687.

— Gina K. Logue (gina.logue@mtsu.edu)