Center for Economic Education coordinates FBLA Xchange event

More than 200 middle and high school students took steps toward future business careers at a gathering hosted Sept. 27 by the JMU College of Business.

Future Business Leaders of America provided leadership at the event, an FBLA Xchange, at which the students developed their marketing and collaboration skills.

Participating school systems included Harrisonburg, Rockingham County, Staunton, Augusta County and Waynesboro.

The gathering was highlighted by a visit from JMU's mascot Duke Dog and the JMU cheerleaders.

"It was great to see these students interacting and learning," said John Kruggel, associate director for program at the JMU Center for Economic Education, which coordinated the event.

Kruggel explained that students were deliberately assigned to working groups with students from other schools to form new teams, rather than remaining with classmates.

Funding for economic education in the area is provided by Shenandoah Valley Economic Education, Inc., a nonprofit organization that promotes economic literacy through teacher training and school programs.