AHOSKIE – If the future of Hertford County follows the lead of four young men attending Ahoskie Town Council’s meeting here Tuesday morning, then all is well.

Hertford County Middle School eighth-graders Cameron Hall, Brandon Staton, Germaine Jordan and Travis Sykes left a lasting impression on Ahoskie officials following their presentation. The young men are members of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter at HCMS.

“I attended a recent function at the middle school involving the FBLA students and I was so impressed that I had to invite them to today’s meeting,” Ahoskie Mayor Linda Blackburn said.

With Hall, the chapter’s president, leading the way, each of the four young men took turns at the podium explaining what FBLA means to them, the club’s goals and plans for the future.

Staton serves as chapter vice-president; Sykes is the treasurer and Jordan is chair of the projects committee.

HCMS FBLA advisor Brunet Parker informed the council members and those in the audience that the club was just recently organized with 22 members.

“We are blessed to have some very outstanding young men and women in our chapter,” Parker said. “They are our future. It’s our job today to mold them, shape them as tomorrow’s leaders.”

Parker added that despite being a “rookie” club, the HCMS chapter is already making great strides. She said at a recent FBLA Middle School competition held in Washington, the local group earned awards in public speaking (1st place), business math (4th place) and reciting the FBLA creed (4th place).

Next on the agenda is a trip to the state competition, set for April 16-18 in Raleigh.

“They are a wonderful group of young men and women,” Mayor Blackburn noted. “They are well-spoken and they represent their school and all of Hertford County in a positive manner.”

Councilman Ronald Gatling added, “They are very articulate, poised and confident for a young group of eighth-graders.”

At the conclusion of the presentation, council members said they would perhaps make a donation to the group to help offset some of their costs to the state competition.