By Raihan Sayeed

A leader among his peers, Raihan Sayeedserved as vice president of the Lincoln-Way East High School chapter of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). Ray Sayeed also stood out as a certificate of merit recipient at FBLA's northern area conference and elected representative of his school at the state level in Illinois.

Conceived in the 1930s and initially founded in 1942, the Future Business Leaders of America enables high school and middle school students to prepare for business-related careers. The organization hosts both national and state-level competitions that encourage students to demonstrate pre-professional skills and innovate in marketing, development, and other career-related areas. Winners of the organization's state competitions go on to compete with top finishers from other states at the National Leadership Conference.

The FBLA also offers a variety of opportunities to help students develop these skills. The annual national conference, which offers four days of workshops and exhibits, stands out as the largest and most prestigious. Each year, accomplished members earn scholarships and awards for their achievements in conference events. The organization also hosts a variety of smaller events, including the Institute for Leaders, to support members in developing their leadership skills.