Suffolk businesses looking for strong leadership to come from a new generation can take great hope from the performance of a group of students from Nansemond River High School who excelled during competitions at the Virginia Future Business Leaders of America State Leadership Conference last weekend.

Three of seven students who competed in individual business competitive events finished in the top five, according to economics and personal finance teacher Jason Bartholomew, a club advisor. Jasmine Hall placed second in business communications, Justice Boyd finished fourth in spreadsheet applications and Brandon Adams grabbed fifth in securities and investments.

The NRHS club also was one of only a handful from Hampton Roads — and the only one from Suffolk — to earn the recognition as 2014-2015 FBLA Honor Chapter.

By virtue of her second-place finish, Hall will join Virginia’s first-place finisher in her category in competitions at the National Leadership Conference in Chicago in June. One hundred students from across the nation will compete in the various FBLA events at that conference.

To earn her second-place award, Hall had to demonstrate proficiency with a range of written and oral business communications. She will surely face heavy competition when she arrives in Chicago, as only the top two finishers in each category from each state participate in that competition.

The FBLA concept was developed in 1937 by Dr. Hamden L. Forkner of Columbia University, and the first high school chapter was chartered in Johnson City, Tenn., in 1942.

The organization exists to help “develop competent, aggressive business leadership” among high school students, according to a statement of goals on its national website. FBLA also helps build confidence in business skills, teaches business principles, develops character, teaches important skills like money management, helps students establish occupational goals and facilitates their transition from school to work.

Congratulations to Hall, Boyd and Adams for their great showing at the state level, and good luck to Hall as she prepares to head to Chicago.