Tharptown student qualifies for nationals in public speaking

By Bart Moss for the FCT

Anslee Bottoms, a Tharptown High School freshman, finished second in the state in the public speaking contest at the state Future Business Leaders of America convention in Birmingham.

Bottoms qualified to compete in the national competition in Anaheim, Calif., in June.

Bottoms’ speech had to be about one of the FBLA goals. She chose strengthening student confidence in themselves and their work.

“It was an amazing opportunity to be able to participate in this competition,” said Bottoms. “Qualifying for nationals shows that you can do anything if work hard and try hard. The experience was eye-opening, to see how far you can get if you just apply yourself.

“The opportunities FBLA provides are amazing. I am definitely going to do it next year.”

Scott Vance, FBLA sponsor at Tharptown High School, said Bottoms is an excellent student and possesses the outstanding qualities of a future leader.

“Anslee is a top-notch student,” said Vance. “She applies herself in the classroom, and she is a very dependable student, always willing to volunteer and go the extra mile. She has a great future ahead of her.”