SOUTH EL MONTE — South El Monte FBLA Champion Roy Tong made district history this summer by winning a national technology competition. The South El Monte High School senior took first place in Computer Applications at the 2026 Future Business Leaders of America National Leadership Conference.
FBLA held its middle and high school conference June 29 through July 2 in San Antonio, Texas. More than 13,000 students attended the national conference, according to FBLA.
Tong competed against students from across the country. His victory made him the first FBLA national champion from the El Monte Union High School District.
The district’s Board of Trustees recognized Tong and other South El Monte student leaders Aug. 5.
South El Monte FBLA Champion Earns National Title
Computer Applications is among FBLA’s competitive events designed to connect classroom knowledge with workplace skills. FBLA describes its competitions as opportunities for students to apply concepts in simulated professional settings.
The national organization releases only its top 10 rankings for National Leadership Conference competitions.
South El Monte High School’s FBLA chapter also received recognition for its broader work during the 2025-26 school year.
The chapter earned a Gold Champion banner, which recognizes participation and achievement across FBLA programs. It also received the Gold Seal Chapter Award of Merit, an honor for high-performing chapters.
The awards reflect work by chapter officers, members and advisers throughout the school year. Students participated in career preparation, community activities and competitions before reaching the national conference.
Student Leaders Join District Board
The Aug. 5 recognition also highlighted two South El Monte students taking district leadership roles.
Senior Tessa Ocegueda will serve as the senior student board member and president of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council. Junior Mia Arteaga will serve as junior student board member and council vice president.
The district previously announced their selection after the advisory council’s May meeting. Ocegueda had already served as a student board member during the 2025-26 school year.
Student board members provide reports and bring student perspectives into Board of Trustees discussions. Their participation gives students a formal role in conversations about schools and district programs.
Achievement Extends Beyond Competition
Tong’s championship represents one part of a broader year of student leadership at South El Monte High School.
The South El Monte FBLA Champion demonstrated technical skills on a national stage. His chapter earned honors for sustained participation, while Ocegueda and Arteaga will represent students in district-level discussions.
FBLA says its national competitions recognize achievement across business and career-related fields. More information about its programs is available through Future Business Leaders of America. District information is available through El Monte Union High School District.
Together, the honors bring national recognition to South El Monte while giving local students new opportunities to develop technical, professional and civic leadership skills.
