When Reginald F. Lewis High School’s June 2025 graduate, Genesis Cruikshank, talks about his academic journey, he’s also speaking to his personal aspirations. “I want to create opportunities for myself,” he says. “I always want to do something new. I always want to be able to be myself and grow.”
The Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) club at Reginald Lewis provided Genesis—and dozens of other students at the school—with opportunities for that academic and personal development.
Business Instructor Marion Moore started the FBLA chapter at Lewis five years ago. Through business-related workshops, competitions, award programs, and networking, “students make connections to the real world,” says Ms. Moore. “They build confidence, see themselves differently, and strive for something that can make a difference in their own and their families’ lives.”
Ms. Moore makes a special effort to connect former FBLA students with her current scholars. Graduates frequently come to the school to speak with students, and they connect with each other on LinkedIn.
It was one of those former students, Joshua Ikuton, who inspired Genesis to become active in FBLA. “He inspired me,” Genesis recalls. “He made me feel like I could do something better for myself. FBLA was my opportunity to experience what’s out there in the world.”
Through FBLA, Genesis developed meaningful relationships with fellow students. He placed second in the group‘s regional competition and attended the regional conference, where he networked with other students and participated in workshops about college and career preparation and the power of relationships. At school, Genesis asked his clubmates to quiz him as he learned business principles and practices in anticipation of the state competition.
“It was fun meeting different types of people from around the state at the state conference, and I liked the sessions in personal finance, stocks, journalism, and speech,” Genesis says.
At the state conference, Genesis qualified to participate in the annual FBLA National Leadership Conference in June of this past year in Anaheim, California. He was accompanied to the conference by Ms. Moore and enjoyed valuable experiences that prepared him for his continuing journey. Says Genesis, “I learned about effective communication, anxiety control, and time management. It gave me a taste of what going to college would be like.”
Genesis taking initiative to learn from his peers directly ties to the Portrait of a Graduate competency for Responsible and Global Citizens who seek new experiences and different perspectives that enhance their experience.
Genesis will be enrolling in community college and is looking forward to internships that move him towards his goal of having his own accounting firm. “I want to do my own thing,” he explains. “I want to use the skills I learned in high school and then in college. Accounting relates to the real world.”
City 
Schools is investing in developing Career and Technology Student Organizations (CTSO), like FBLA, at Career and Technical Education (CTE) high schools. According to Stan Wolfe, the district’s Coordinator of Career Readiness, "They're a great way for students to connect with their learning in the classroom with real-world applications. It helps them demonstrate leadership opportunities specific to their CTE pathway. They can show off what they're learning on a national and local stage, and can inspire other students to become interested in career paths.”
Reports Maria Blanca, City Schools Work-Based Learning Specialist, “The number of students participating in school-based CTSOs increased 154% from the 2023-24 to the 2024-25 school year. This year, we aim to increase participation by encouraging all CTE high schools to support the growth of existing CTSO chapters and help launch new ones."