2024-2025
District 9
Officer Candidate Speeches
Vihaan Gowda is currently a junior at Middleton High School. Inspired by amazing individuals within his local and state FBLA community (as well as chicken wings, check out the speech below!). He began his journey in FBLA nearly 3 years ago, and since, has developed into a confident and community driven leader.
Currently serving as the Vice-President of Middleton High School, he has also served as the former District 9 Historian and Secretary. Attending conferences such as the NLC (National Leadership Conference), NFLC (National Fall Leadership Conference), and SFLC (State Fall Leadership Conference), has had the opportunity to present workshops and network with some of the best leaders within the organization.
He is looking forward to bringing some of the ideas and opportunities he has gained back to the district and local FBLA community.
Ready to wing it? Check out @vihaan.fbla on Instagram!
Vihaan Gowda
District 9 President Candidate
Sonum Mittal
District 9 Vice President Candidate
Sonum is a high school sophomore attending the Biomedical Magnet program at Middleton High School. She has been an active member of FBLA for over four years. In this time she has gained extensive skills on organization, communication, and leadership.
Along her journey within FBLA, she has served as chapter Vice President of Member Services, District Reporter, and middle level Vice President. FBLA has played a crucial role in developing Sonum’s leadership skills and expanding her network.
She looks forward to collaborating with the state officer team and Florida FBLA to create an unforgettable experience.
Dare to connect? Check out @sonum.fbla on Instagram
Saicharan Vutukuri
District 9 Secretary Candidate
Hi there my name is Saicharan Vutukuri and I'm running for your District 9 Secretary. I’m a sophomore at Middleton High School and this is my second year in FBLA. I have to say it’s been an amazing journey.
But now my goal is to help each and every one of you pursue an amazing journey. Along with that I’ve set a vision to bring you the best support possible to help you succeed in FBLA. But more importantly, I want to help each and every one of you achieve your goals and visions. Whether it’s winning an award or even just having a fun time, I’m here ready to make that happen. So why don’t we turn this into our new journey.
If you’d like to learn more about me and our journey you can check out my instagram page @saiv.fbla. Just remember to lay out your goals, set your visions, and embark on your journey with Saicharan Vutukuri.
I’m a committed and driven student who has gained a lot from being part of FBLA. Through competitions and helping organize events, I’ve built skills like teamwork, communication, and leadership. I’m running for Vice President because I want to help members grow, improve our district, and create opportunities for everyone to succeed. I believe in working together to make FBLA a meaningful experience for all of us. I’m locked in, so lock in your vote for me.
Karthikeyan Palaniswamy
District 9 Vice President Candidate
Krisha Chandran has been a proud member of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) since joining in the 6th grade, dedicating over five years to this impactful organization. From the very beginning, she embraced FBLA’s mission to build leadership skills, encourage personal growth, and make District 9 a true community. Through every step of her journey, Krisha has remained deeply committed to making a difference within the organization and beyond.
Krisha’s leadership journey began in 8th grade as Reporter for Williams FBLA, where she discovered her passion for communication and storytelling. Currently, she serves as the Vice President of Community Service at Middleton High School’s FBLA chapter and as the District 9 Historian. These roles have allowed Krisha to contribute meaningfully at both the chapter and district levels, working to inspire others and strengthen the FBLA community.
Now, Krisha is running for re-election as District 9 Historian, determined to build upon her accomplishments and further enhance the district. As the current Historian, she has already launched community service initiatives, trained chapter officers, and introduced impactful ideas. She is eager to continue her efforts and help District 9 move three steps forward, fostering growth and innovation to ensure its continued success. To follow her journey and achievements, visit her Instagram at @krishachandran.fbla.
Krisha Chandran
District 9 Historian Candidate
Avyutha Mandava
District 9 Historian Candidate
Avyutha Mandava, an 8th grader at Williams Middle School, is honored and excited to serve as one of the middle school National Council Members for FBLA. Her journey with FBLA began in 6th grade, and since then, she has embraced leadership roles that have helped shape her passion for business and leadership. In 7th grade, she was elected as one of the four Junior Officer Members, and in 8th grade, she proudly serves as the President of the FBLA chapter at Williams Middle School.
Throughout her time with FBLA, Avyutha has worked diligently to ensure effective communication among club members while promoting projects and organizing events that foster a collaborative and inspiring environment. Her leadership has been recognized through two prestigious awards at the district and state levels in both FBLA and HOSA, further highlighting her dedication and commitment to excellence.
Beyond her involvement in FBLA, Avyutha is a volleyball player and enjoys reading while listening to music in her free time. These activities provide her with balance and the opportunity to relax while pursuing her academic and leadership goals.
Hi, I’m Jahnavi Burugupalli, and I’m running for District 9 Reporter!
FBLA has been a huge part of my life for the past two years, and I’m passionate about connecting members and highlighting their achievements. I believe every member has a unique story to share, and as your reporter, I’ll make sure those stories shine.
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If you don’t want to be just some fish in the sea, vote Jahnavi! Follow @jahnavi.fbla for more!
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Thank you,
Jahnavi Burugupalli
Jahnavi Burugupalli
District 9 Reporter Candidate
My name is Tanishka Chinthamaneni and I am running for FBLA middle level vice president for district 9 and. I am a 7th grader at Williams IB Middle Magnet School. I have demonstrated my leadership ability from a very young age, and I am passionate about helping people in any way possible. I have taken up a variety of extracurriculars including dance, singing, violin, and cello. This reveals my ability to manage my time, morality, dedication, and perseverance as these are all activities that involve a significant amount of commitment, dedication, and the other listed traits. I have won many competitions including FBLA, HOSA, global debate and visual arts competitions, math, violin, dance, singing, and many more competitions. I spend my spare time doing math, art, and spending time with family.
Tanishka Chinthamaneni
District 9 Middle Level
Vice President Candidate
Gowtham Kambala
District 9 Reporter Candidate
My name is Gowtham Kambala, and I am a 14-year-old 8th-grade student at Williams Middle Magnet School. I currently serve as the historian for my school’s FBLA chapter, a position that has allowed me to develop strong leadership and organizational skills.
I have been part of FBLA for two years, and in my first year, I had the honor of placing first in the district competition. This achievement has driven me to pursue even greater success within the organization. As historian, I work closely with my chapter's reporter to document and promote our activities, further enhancing my skills in communication and teamwork.
I am excited to announce that I am running for the position of District Reporter. I am passionate about using the skills I’ve gained in FBLA to help improve communication and visibility for our district. I look forward to the opportunities ahead and am eager to contribute to the success of my school and district.