When Laura Carroll, LaGrange High School’s business and marketing class educator, became the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) adviser for students interested in business, she was preparing them for the moment they recently experienced during the FBLA region competition — to walk away as winners.

Three members of her FBLA team attended the event and two walked away with honors.

Tiarra Stanley placed second in hospitality management and Hassan Stargell placed first in entrepreneurship.

FBLA is a co-curricular organization made up of student leaders who are interested in pursuing business as a future career.

When Carroll is with the students, she helps them gain purposeful knowledge about business.

“The purpose is to provide, as an integral part of the instruction program, opportunities for students to develop vocational and career competencies,” Carroll said. “They are also exposed to promoting civic and personal responsibilities.”

For the group, region competition is held once a year. This year, it was in Buena Vista, Georgia, where all 15 counties within the region competed in showcasing their business knowledge through performance, skills or online.

Each of the subject areas pertained to business and leadership.

Carroll said the top qualifiers in each event advance to the state competition in March. It will be held in Atlanta.

Carroll said she is proud of each of her students for competing in region.

“Our FBLA team showed great confidence in the subject matter and they represented LaGrange High and Troup County well,” she said.