FBLA
Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) “is the largest business career and technical student organization in the world,” according to their website, with focus on empowering high school students with interests in business.
Class of 2026 Assistant Principal Ms. Amy Boscan encouraged students to start the club. Cole Carlson, 11, assumed the role of club president.
“As the president of FBLA, I am in charge of organizing the meeting and explaining to new members what the point of FBLA is,” Carlson said. “While I do have other officers to help with things, I am primarily in charge of overviewing the entire club.”
Carlson believes in FBLA’s importance and its purpose to EHS and its students.
“The main purpose of Future Business Leaders of America in high school is to prepare students for careers in business through academic competitions, leadership development and educational programs,” Carlson said. “It provides an opportunity for students to apply classroom knowledge, develop essential soft skills and network with business professionals and peers.”
Cael Beeman, 11, and Tyler McClain, 11, are the vice presidents of FBLA.
“We both recruit heavily and help with any tasks our president cannot carry out,” Beeman. “At this point in the club, we are just looking to grow and get as many members as possible, so recruiting is our priority right now.”
There has been an increase of members in FBLA ever since it started a few months ago and the club has grown to be successful.
“Our friend actually started and came to us with the idea,” Beeman said. “He said Ms. Boscan had this club at her old school and she thought it’d be a great thing to bring to Eureka. She wanted to bring it here because she thought it was great for the students and it really helps them become business leaders and teaches them different ways to be a business leader.”
As FBLA continues on, Beeman and McClain, alongside Carlson, bring more members into the club and encourage them to become business leaders.
“The surest way not to fail is to determine to succeed,” Carlson said.
TPUSA
On Oct. 15, the Eureka High School chapter of Turning Point USA (TPUSA) met for the first time this school year.
The club began meeting again after the Turning Point USA co-founder and American political activist, Charlie Kirk, was shot and killed on stage during an event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10.
“The flames really started here after Kirk’s death and his assassination because it was such an eye opener that there’s something wrong with this country, and we need to do something about it,” EHS TPUSA president Tyler Lucarz, 10, said.
The chapter was established in 2021 but has not met in four years.
“EHS used to have a TPUSA group a few years ago, sponsored by Coach Ralph Gianino, but then it died down, and sparking it up again was a little bit difficult since the club had to meet strict criteria,” EHS TPUSA vice president Aislynn Pratt, 10, said.
According to the Student Handbook, club regulations include a formal submission to the EHS Activities Director, Scott Allen.
“The application must include the club’s mission statement, description of activities, planned Academic Lab meetings and signature of the faculty sponsor,” Allen said.
To meet this criteria, sophomores decided to reappoint Ralph Gianino IV as the club sponsor. Gianino declined to be interviewed.
After the club received approval, club treasurer Brock Martin, 10, said the group’s focus shifted towards developing their core values.
“It’s just about stating your views and being able to teach kids how to have a voice and be in an open environment where nobody feels excluded,” EHS TPUSA secretary Kennedy Price, 10, said. “But we’re also trying to show people conservative values.”
The group’s activities, according to Lucarz, will include games and activities involving debate and discussions.
“Anyone is welcome to our club because it’s not about being a Republican or a Democrat, it’s about finding common similarities between everyone and being able to connect,” Lucarz said.
