Two future leaders star at national competition
BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer

Zainab Khan (l) and Dedeepya Konuthula, entering their senior and junior years at Old Bridge High School, respectively, show their awards from this summer's national Future Business Leaders of America competition.

OBHS students get 2nd-, 8th-place honors at FBLA event in Atlanta

 

OLD BRIDGE — Two local teenagers have really gotten down to business, taking home top-ranking prizes in the national Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) competition in Atlanta, Ga.

Old Bridge High School students Dedeepya Konuthula and Zainab Khan rose above their competitors — Dedeepya nabbing second place in personal finance, and Zainab placing eighth in business law.

"It's an amazing feeling," FBLA coadviser Karen Venezia said of the students' victories. "You're like, 'Oh my God, those are our kids.'"

Adding to Venezia's awe of the young women's achievements was the fact that neither of them had taken coursework in the categories in which they won, instead taking it upon themselves to study and surpass their competitors.

Nine Old Bridge High School students traveled to the competition this summer after qualifying through the regional and state portions of the contests. Ranking in the top eight regionally, then in the top two in New Jersey, the students then moved on to the height of the competition.

"It's exciting," Venezia said. "It's good for the kids, but it's also good for the school district and the community overall."

Along with the competitive portions of the annual event, attending students take part in workshops and exhibits, taking opportunities to network with fellow organization members along the way. Dedeepya, who will be a junior, made it to the nationals for the second time, having placed 10th in her category last year. This year's event was made extra special by the fact that it would be the last time she and her older sister, Neeraja, would be there together. Neeraja, the high school's 2008 valedictorian, placed fifth in last year's FBLA principles and procedures national category. She competed again nationally this year for a third and final time, and was thrilled to see her younger sister take home an award, Venezia said.

The academically outstanding sisters have made headlines before, when they made it to the quarterfinals of Cablevision's "The Challenge," a Jeopardy-style quiz show for students. Aside from the school's academic team, Dedeepya is also involved in the Interact Club and pre-med at school, and on her own time she plays piano and serves as a volunteer and teen advisory board member at the Old Bridge Public Library. Dedeepya credited her parents, Tirumalarao and Suryakumari, with motivating their children to excel.

"They always want us to try our best at things," Dedeepya said.

Along with a trophy, Dedeepya earned a $100 prize for her efforts. She said she had about a week to study for the competition after finals ended.

"When I started to study, I liked it," she said. "It's pretty interesting."

Though Dedeepya's future plans are pointing toward becoming a doctor, she said she took a liking to personal finance, and may devote some college courses to delving into finance as a minor.

According to Venezia, the expression on the "brilliant" student's face when she heard her name announced as a winner was priceless, portraying a feeling of utter surprise at her victory.

"They're very humble," Venezia said of both Dedeepya and Zainab.

Dedeepya said she was nervous about the competition, as so many students from across the country were vying for top prizes. Nevertheless, determination and sheer enjoyment of the event drove her forward to victory.

"It's fun to do and it's a challenge, just to see how you compare to other people," Dedeepya said.

If her achievements are any indication, the teen does more than measure up to her competitors.

Zainab, who is preparing to enter her senior year at the high school, also did not expect her win.

"I thought I blew it, because a lot of things on [the test] I wasn't familiar with," Zainab said. "So I was shocked when they called my name."

Others who know the stellar student might not be so surprised, especially members of her proud family, who watched the competition live on the Internet.

A member of both the National and French honors societies, Zainab takes her studies very seriously. Like Dedeepya, she attributes her intense drive for success to her parents.

"Both of them are huge endorsers of education," Zainab said. "They're both immigrants from Pakistan, and they didn't have that commodity because there, [education] is a commodity. I just wanted to show my parents that what they sacrificed was not fruitless."

With plans for a career in business law, Zainab said she is considering Rutgers Business School to further her educational goals.

According to Zainab, about 30 percent of the high school's student body is involved in FBLA. A two-year member of the organization, Zainab said she saw its many merits soon after becoming involved.

"At first, I just did it for the sake of joining, for college, but then I really got into it," she said.

Zainab said FBLA has helped to make her a better person by imparting leadership skills and getting her involved in community service, among other things.

"It really does give you that benevolence factor," Zainab said. "It helps you work with other people, and [with] networking."

Along with her FBLA ties, Zainab finds time to participate in Interact, the Muslim Student Association, the Junior Statesmen of America and the French Club. She also teaches Arabic at Sunday school, and is a tutor.

Though spare time would appear scarce, when Zainab gets it, she indulges in her love of words.

"I like writing, [and] I'm a huge poetry fan," she said.

Zainab said her three younger siblings also provide an impetus for setting the bar high for herself. The leadership she learned with FBLA seems to carry over to other areas of her life.

"I'm hoping to get them to follow in my footsteps, and to be an example for them," Zainab said.