May 16, 2003 – Two students from Elena Christian Junior High School received awards on Thursday after winning the territorywide Future Business Leaders of America's proofreading and know-your-business contests. Taisha Richards and April Walker received their trophies from their school's FBLA advisor, Ruby Correia.
Teri Helenese, director of the Legislature's Office of Public Affairs, was the keynote speaker at the ceremony, which also served as an induction of FBLA officers.
Helenese told the students and community members present, "What you stand for and do now, or fail to do, will determine your future and surely it will determine the future of the Virgin Islands, as statistics prove that businesses are the backbone of a thriving economy."
Helenese encouraged the students to work for something more lasting than money and to give back to the islands. Acknowledging setbacks in business and in life, Helenese said: "If we falter, it is important to fall on our backs because if we can look up, we can stand up, and if we can stand up, we can 'go for it.'"
Future Business Leaders of America is the largest and oldest organization operating through schools to attract students to careers in business, such as accounting, economics, information technology and management.

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