Logan Porter, a senior at Dawson County High School, attended the National FBLA  Conference this summer in Anaheim, Calif., where he represented Georgia  in the competition for electronic career portfolio and placed sixth overall in the nation.

“We are so proud of Logan,” said Dianne Mayfield, FBLA advisor at Dawson County High School. “He is without a doubt an exceptional young man who is very talented.”

Porter said this was his first national competition and didn’t know what to expect.

“It was the biggest conference I’ve ever been to,” he said. “There were people from all over the world. There was a high level of enthusiasm from the other students there competing, which made it exciting.”

This past spring, Porter placed first in the state FBLA competition and won the opportunity to compete at the national level.

He said that an electronic portfolio is like a resume in the format of a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation.

“It goes into more detail than a traditional resume, and is a new tool that employers are looking at using when hiring people,” Porter said.

With plans to study graphic design in college and possibly turn it into a career, Porter says being a part of FBLA has been a good experience. He has been a part of the organization since his freshman year of high school.

“Through the conferences I have been to, I have had the opportunity to meet many people in the business community that have provided me with useful tips and advice,” he said. “Being a part of FBLA and competing at the state and national levels, I have learned valuable skills, such as leadership, that I know will help me in the future.”

Porter is currently serving as Dawson County FBLA president and as region officer for FBLA Region 7, where he represents about 45 high schools.

Future Business Leaders of America is a national, non profit educational association for students in middle school through college that also includes a professional division for business people, alumni, educators and parents in support of the program.

“Being a part of this group familiarizes students with what goes on outside of school in the business world,” said Ryan Coker, advisor for the group.

Within the organization, students compete in several different areas including public speaking, job interviews and network designs.

To prepare for each competition, students are given the choice to pick from about 100 topics and subject areas in which to compete.

The local club is made up of about 70 students from all high school grade levels.