Jayme Keefer, a rising senior at Blythewood High School, walked away from the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) National Leadership Conference earlier this month with a second-place trophy for Business Communications.

The trophy also came with a $100 prize.

To be eligible, competitors completed an online, timed test, which gauged their knowledge the topic.

She was the only student from the district to qualify for nationals and one of six South Carolinians to place at the conference.

Keefer also received Microsoft PowerPoint Certification, a national industry certification from the company.

Keefer is secretary of the Blythewood High chapter of FBLA, with which she has been active for two years. She was accompanied to the conference in San Antonio, Texas, by her mother Christine Keefer and school business education teacher and Career and Technology Department Chair Christine Blackwelder. 

FBLA is the largest and oldest business student organization in the world. Students at several district schools participate in this club, which is designed to build character and self-esteem, as well as encourage leadership as it prepares young adults for careers in business. 

— Submitted by Richland School District 2