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Oak Hill High School’s chapter of Future Business Leaders of America earned first place in a statewide competition this month. It’s the 25th year they’ve won. Competitions focused on business skills. Submitted photo

Every year for the past 25 years, Oak Hill High School’s Future Business Leaders of America chapter has placed first in the Maine State Championship.

Club advisor Angela Roy said there was a lot of pressure to make it to the state tournament this year.

“No one wants to lose their winning streak in the 25th year,” said co-counsel Erica Baule.

But the school’s batch of 35 students scored enough points in the business-oriented competition to consolidate their quarter-century of wins.

Future Business Leaders of America is a national organization that helps high school students prepare for business through academic competition, leadership development and educational programs. Students compete in various written tests, public speaking and project-based competitions.

This year, Oak Hill students collectively received 25 first, 23 second and 12 third place awards. One student, junior Nhi Nguyen, won eight awards alone, Roy said.

Three students were also elected as regional board members. Nguyen is now Maine FBLA Vice President, Junior Destiny Samare Treasurer, and Junior Sara Rosinol Correspondent.

Earlier this year, mentors helped match students to competitive events based on their strengths. Students studied for exams and practiced presentations after school. As the race gets closer, Roy said, the preparation gets more intense.

In the two weeks leading up to the state competition in early March, Roy and his mentor, Bewell, worked with students for hours every day, including weekends. Both were once members of the Oak Hill FBAA program as students.

He said the success of the program is due to the commitment of the students. He said the competitive structure of the program is especially important to motivate students.

“We’d give them a little nod, and they’d pick it up,” Roy said.

FBLA helps students build a variety of different skills, she explained. It provides opportunities for students to connect with local professionals and serve their community.

Earlier this year, Oak Hill FBLA collected more than four trash bags full of clothing to donate to Maine Needs.

“These kids were in their 25th year, but it took 24 years worth of kids to get us here,” Roy said.

Roy said students will not compete in the national competition in Atlanta this year, mainly because of the cost. However, they hope to travel with students to compete in the national championships scheduled for next year in Anaheim, California.