Leah Klins, a 10th grader at Bartow High School, was presented with the prestigious Robert & Amy Harper Student of Excellence Award at the 14th Annual Future Builders of America (FBA) Leadership Summit this past weekend in Haines City, FL. Students from across the state attended the Summit which focuses on providing hands-on education in the different skilled trades that are available in the construction industry.ย Along with core classes in carpentry, masonry, welding, HVAC, plumbing, green building, electrical, pool construction and landscape design, they also attend sessions on job etiquette, marketing and work skills. One student is selected from each team as the Team Harper Award Winner and the Student of Excellence Award is presented to one of the students who represents the leadership skills and can-do attitude that exemplifies this award. The award is named after Robert and Amy Harper of Lakeland who are Legacy Donors of the FBA which is the charitable foundation of the Florida Home Builders Association. FBA works with local schools to form chapters to encourage students to enter into the high paying fields of the skilled construction industry. For more information on Future Builders of America, please visit the website at www.futurebuildersofamerica.org.