Two Georgia Northwestern Technical College students earned finalist honors at the 2026 Future Business Leaders of America Collegiate National Leadership Conference, held June 6th through 8th in Las Vegas.

Eight GNTC students competed in 11 events at the national competition. Jared Weaver, who studies Architectural and Engineering Drawing Technology at GNTC’s Whitfield Murray Campus, placed third in Customer Service. Ashley Weaver, who graduated last month with an associate degree in Accounting, placed ninth in Foundations of Entrepreneurship.

The Weavers are married and live in Chatsworth with their daughter, Emily Standridge, who also competed at the national conference.

GNTC’s FBLA coordinator and Marketing Management Program Director Mark Upton said he was proud of the students and instructors who helped prepare them, adding that the students competed strongly and represented the college well.

Other GNTC competitors included students from the Floyd County and Whitfield Murray campuses, representing programs such as Radiologic Technology, Healthcare Billing, Business Management, Business Healthcare Technology, Healthcare Management and Accounting.

GNTC’s Community Service Project team also advanced to the finals. Trish Wiggins, director of Student Engagement at GNTC, said the students’ level of involvement was exceptional and that each one will continue representing GNTC beyond campus and into the workforce.

Future Business Leaders of America helps students prepare for careers in business and business-related fields and serves more than 230,000 students nationwide.