Three Tullahoma High School students made school history earlier this month when they placed at the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) National Leadership Conference in California.

Thomas Cunningham, Edward Henry and Jonah Rathjen Vallejos all placed in their respective competitions and were the first THS students to bring home an award from nationals since the program was founded in 2007. In total, Tullahoma High School had 11 students compete at this year’s FBLA National Leadership Conference, which took place in Anaheim, California, from June 29 to July 2.

“I am ecstatic that we were able to pull this off,” said Frankin Cammack, the WMS FBLA Adviser and Co-THS Adviser. “Our high school program currently has eight former middle-level winners and several others who had perfect state scores. These three guys have been with me for a while, and I couldn’t be happier for them.”

Henry and Rathjen Vallejos became the first THS students to place when they teamed to take fifth place in the LifeSmarts FBLA Challenge. The rising juniors were one of 24 teams invited to nationals to compete in the event, testing students’ knowledge in personal finance, consumer rights, the environment, technology and workforce preparation and health and safety topics. Rathjen Vallejos and Henry were one of 12 teams who qualified for nationals in the fall of 2024, while an additional 12 teams qualified for the same event in the spring.

During the national conference, Henry and Rathjen Vallejos took a test and then competed against teams in two different four-team buzzer rounds. At the end of the day, their scores from the fall test, the onsite test, and buzzer rounds combined for their overall score. The top eight teams advanced to a single-elimination, one-on-one competition. The Wildcat team lost to the eventual National Champions by three questions. When scores were tallied, Henry and Rathjen Vallejos were fifth in the standings.

This is the third year that both Henry and Rathjen Vallejos have placed at nationals after previously doing so when they were middle school students. After this month’s performance, Henry and Rathjen Vallejos became the first Tennessee FBLA students to place nationally at both the middle and high school levels.

Thomas Cunningham also placed at the FBLA National Leadership Conference after he claimed ninth place in Electronic Career Portfolio. Cunningham qualified for nationals after he took first place at the Tennessee State Leadership Conference in April. In the Electronic Career Portfolio competition, students must present a portfolio showcasing their ability to combine their achievements, growth, vision, skills, education, training and career goals into an electronic format. Additionally, competitors have to present their portfolios to a panel of judges.

Cunningham’s portfolio highlighted his achievements with the THS Aviation program, including his personal flight training, licensure and his future plans in the industry. There were 98 competitors spread over seven sections, where the top two from each section advanced to the finals. Cunningham made the finals, where he presented his portfolio once again to judges, before he claimed ninth place overall.

“I am extremely proud of our whole FBLA crew that made it to nationals. They all represented themselves and our community well,” said THS FBLA Co-Adviser Will Hyden. “To have three students place at the national stage is a huge accomplishment and a testament to the hard work those three young men put into excelling in their respective events. These young men have blazed a trail and opened the door to show the rest of our FBLA members what is possible.”

West Middle School also had 10 students compete in 11 events at the FBLA National Leadership Conference. Five students received special recognition by completing the LEAD Explore Award. Jayden Behrendorff, Natalie Davis, Gavin Good, Georgia Quick and Analeigh Spain received a certificate and a ribbon to add to their name badge while at the conference as a part of this recognition. The LEAD Award is an individual achievement award program where students have the opportunity to enhance their leadership skills, expand their business knowledge, contribute to their local communities and earn recognition by immersing themselves in their school and communities.

“The time and effort that all of these students put into preparing for their events highlights their strong work ethic and commitment to excellence,” Cammack said. “I’m proud of them for making it to nationals. I hope that this experience helps them in their future endeavors, whether it’s for next year’s competition preparation or everyday life.”

Hyden also wanted to thank the Tullahoma community for helping the FBLA programs make this trip possible.

“I also want to thank all of the local businesses and sponsors that helped through donations and other support for our FBLA club,” Hyden said. “Thank you to our school system and community for playing a huge role in the success of these young people. Everybody should be very proud.”

Tullahoma City Schools Director of Schools, Dr. Catherine Stephens, added her congratulations to each student who competed at nationals and to their advisers.

“What an amazing accomplishment for our students, the FBLA program, and our advisers. I am extremely proud of each and every student participant for their performances at the FBLA National Leadership Conference,” Dr. Stephens said. “Congratulations to Thomas, Edward and Jonah for not only their placements at nationals, but the school history that they have made. Under Franklin Cammack and Will Hyden, our FBLA programs are soaring to new heights. I am thrilled for all who are a part of FBLA and cannot wait to see what the future holds.”