Community service at the heart of FBLA project

A Summerland freshman hopes to turn her dedication to helping her community into a project for the local Future Business Leaders of America chapter.

Irelyn Bearinger, daughter of Tammy and Jarod Bearinger, of Clearwater, teaches Confraternity of Christian Doctrine classes for kindergarten-age students at St. Theresa's Church. She hopes to parlay the skills she's learning "on the job" into business world experience.

"This is my third year teaching CCD," she said. "I have six students this year."

Faith formation involves values and shapes the way people think and respond to the world.

Bearinger said, "If you're teaching faith to others, it's going to benefit you and your community."

Business values can be derived from those learning experiences, according to Bearinger.

"If you start your own business, your going to set your values and those will align with your customers," she said.

Weekly, Bearinger sets aside time to review lesson plans and determine what types of supplemental material she can add to explain the concepts in the 60 to 75 minute class. Sometimes, the packet includes a craft project or coloring Page. She uses different strategies - storytelling or a game - playing on students' strengths.

"They surprise you in different ways. They're smart in ways you wouldn't think. They'll come up with things and learn so quickly. It's neat to be a part of," she said.

The project includes a 10- to 15-Page essay outlining how she developed strategies to implement the project, describes research into community needs, examines the impact the project has on the community and an evaluation, completed by Bearinger on its effectiveness.

If Bearinger's project is selected for the FBLA State Leadership Conference, April 3 to 5, in Kearney, Bearinger will present a seven-minute presentation about her community service project and the results.

Visual media may be used during the presentation; however, no other chapter representatives will be able to prompt her.

Delivery skills will be taken into consideration, with confidence, poise, vocal projection, organization and ability to answer questions effectively being the primary criteria.

Business attire is required during the presentation.

Following the presentation, she will be required to respond to judges' questions during a three-minute Q-and-A session.

The top three entries, based on combined written and presentation scores, will advance to the FBLA National Leadership Conference.

Bearinger said the project, as well as membership in the organization, teaches useful skills for the world of work.

"Business is something everybody uses every day. Even if you solely don't own a business, you need to know how a business runs," she said. "Everyone will have to get a job some day and will be able to use that knowledge."

The freshman is enrolled in the entrepreneur class at Summerland Public Schools.

"We're learning about the basics of starting a business," she said.

While she does not have a specific career in mind in the future, she is positive about one aspect any career will need.

"I want something I can work hard at. I want to be doing good, in some way, and benefitting those around me," she said.