Grace Spaulding

District 8 Spring Newsletter
District 8 Winter Newsletter
District 8 Fall Newsletter
Welcome Back Newsletter

March Update
Hi everyone! I am hopeful that this month of love went great for all of you!

I would like to start by saying our Spring District Meeting was a huge success. I was so glad to see each and every one of your faces. I am so excited to see you all represent District 8 at SLC.

The month of February held many deadlines within NYS FBLA. Mainly our State Pin Design competition, our POW events, and the application for NYS FBLA Honors Society. I hope that you all seized these opportunities to be involved in our state chapter.

Involvement is essential, especially with SLC only a few months away. A small reminder for those of you attending the State Leadership Conference this year it will be held April 15th – 17th at the Joseph R. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center. Some of the main advice I would like to share with you is:

Come prepared with all the materials you need for your events.
Arrive at least 10 minutes early to your scheduled event time.
Download all of your event resources so you can access them without internet.
Practice your events with your chapter advisor and fellow members in order to be prepared.

I encourage you to follow our district profile @district8.nysfbla for regular updates and to follow my profile @gracefbla for other updates or email me at svp8@nysfbla.org with any questions. You can all make your mark within FBLA!

February Update
Hello everyone! I hope that the first month of 2026 has gone good for all of you!

I must start by addressing the weather conditions which unfortunately caused us to move our Spring District Meeting to February 6 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The meeting will now be hosted at the Chemung Innovation Center.

Opportunities for growth within FBLA come in many forms whether it be Competitive Events which will be a part of our SDM, or POW competitions which are an essential part of our SLC. As much as time allows with busy schedules you should be doing your best to stay involved so that you can fully understand what it means to be a Future Business Leader.

While competitions are important it is essential that you don’t forget to stay involved with other aspects of life. Be involved in your community, everyone loves to see students going out and making a difference. Even small amounts of community service make influential changes. Talk to your advisors and chapter officers to let them know that you would like to be more involved.

January Update
Happy holidays everyone! I hope you all got to spend time with loved ones this holiday season and that you are feeling ready to start the new year off right.

I would like to let you all know that our Spring District Meeting is coming up January 26 from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm, and will be hosted at Waverly High School. It is important that you are preparing for your events as the time to compete is getting closer.

Competitive events are an essential part of your FBLA membership. Whether you are taking an Objective Test, giving a Presentation, or even competition in a Role Play preparation is the key to success. Your advisors are your best resources, you should be working with them and asking questions, when necessary, in order to best succeed.

You have access to amazing opportunities just be being part of FBLA. It is important that you utilize the many resources, competitions, conferences, and the community that our organization offers. Being a part of FBLA is something you should be proud of.

I deeply apologize for all of the technology issues. I am currently in the process of changing internet providers as I am unable to use my computer at my home so all of my work is being completed during school hours.

December Update
Hi everyone! I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving, it’s one of my favorite times a year because I get to see friends and family. This year I am most thankful for the time I get to spend with my loved ones.

I would like to thank everyone who attended our Fall District Meeting because of you it was a huge success! Now that we have had our first district meeting it is important that you prepare for your competitive events. The Spring District Meeting will come sooner then you expect. Study, make your presentations, and work on your prejudged elements.

I want to emphasize that everyone should participate in the amazing Program of Work competitions your state officer team worked hard to create for you. You can find information about each event on the state website. Each POW is due February 15th 2026, for every competition you do you will receive a ribbon on your name tag!

November Update
Hello everyone! I hope the changing leaves and apple cider has been treating you well so far. I hope you
are all excited for what is to come on November 10, our Fall District Meeting which is at Waverly High
School from 11:00 am to 2:30 pm.

This is the time to be deciding your FBLA competitive events. I know this task may seem daunting however if you slow down and take the time to think you will be picking before you know it! Please remember that NYS FBLA has 12 POW challenges and that National FBLA has the Business Achievement Awards which you can learn about on the FBLA website.

When picking the events you wish to compete in there are a few important things to consider:
1) Do I want to test, or present?
2) Is there knowledge that I possess which aligns with a specific event?
3) Is there something I feel passionate about that I could apply to an event?
4) Do I have the time to commit to this event?

The information regarding every competitive event can be found at https://www.fbla.org/high-school/competitive-events. Make sure to read the guidelines before committing to any competition.

October Update
Welcome to fall everyone! With the first month of school out of the way I hope everything is going smoothly. Fall is one of my favorite seasons because the new school year begins, leaves start to fall, and Halloween is right around the corner! On that note you should all be excited about what FBLA has to offer this season.

The start of a new school year brings challenges, emotions, and change which can all be nerve wrecking. Something that is extremely important to remember is everything will work out. If things aren’t quite what you had expected that is ok! Joining an organization like FBLA can help you find an amazing starting point.

The POW challenges, competitive events, BAA’s, and our upcoming FDM are all things you can commit time to. I encourage you to try new things because you may surprise yourself by liking something different! By becoming a member in FBLA you not only gain skills, experiences, and recognition you gain a community of others who understand your goals.

The Fall District Meeting is planned for November 10, 2025 at Waverly High School from 11:00 am to 2:30 pm. Join us for workshops, lunch, and networking at our first event of the year!

With many new things coming up I encourage you to follow our district profile @district8.nysfbla for regular updates and to follow my profile @gracefbla for personal updates or email me at svp8@nysfbla.org with any questions. This year YOU can make your mark within FBLA.

September Update
Hello NYS FBLA! This is an exciting time, with the next school year starting I hope everyone is adjusting to the new structure it provides. There may be challenges ahead but one thing to look forward to is this next year of FBLA.

As I mentioned before, I am a rising senior at Waverly High School. I can’t wait for the memories and experiences that will come with my last year of high school however there is nothing I am more excited for then FBLA. Getting to meet new members or reconnect with returning ones, planning the FDM, and getting started on the POW’s is something I look forward to all summer. I encourage you to participate in the amazing Program of Work challenges we worked hard to create. I also hope to see all of you in attendance at District 8 FDM.

Here are a few ways you can be an active FBLA member: 1. Attend chapter meetings 2. Help plan/run fundraisers 3. Participate in any competitive events that interest you 4. Complete at least one POW 5. Talk to your fellow members and advisor.

We have many exciting things ahead and I recommend you follow our district profile @district8.nysfbla for regular updates/information on what FBLA has to offer. Check out my profile @gracefbla for updates or send me an email at svp8@nysfbla.org with any questions. The 25-26 school year is the time to make your mark within FBLA participate, learn, and experience our organization to the fullest!

August Update
Hi NYS FBLA! My name is Grace Spaulding, and I am serving as your District 8 State Vice President for the 25–26 school year. I am ecstatic to be on the State Officer team this year, and I am confident we will all make our mark within the organization!

I started out the month attending NLC in Anaheim, California, where I networked, competed, and, of course, did some pin trading. Then I attended State Officer Training, a week where I, along with the State Officer team, worked long, yet rewarding, hours to prepare for this upcoming year. Several projects consumed our time, including choosing the new Program of Work competitions (make sure to check out the Membership Service Committee), picking the state charity: the Ronald McDonald House, and planning some exciting fundraisers. All the experience I gained from this training has heightened my confidence in not only my abilities but also in the collaborative potential of the State Officer Team.

With the remaining time in summer, I am prioritizing growing our district. To achieve this, I will be visiting any schools that have the potential of joining FBLA and creating information packets to send out through email.

I could not be more excited for this next year of FBLA! I’m looking forward to seeing all of your POW submissions. Reach out to me at svp8@nysfbla.org for anything you may need. For regular updates, check out my FBLA Instagram @gracefbla and our district profile @district8.nysfbla