Santa Maria High School Future Business Leaders of America members currently enrolled in Financial Accounting, Professional Business Communication, AHC Intro to Entrepreneurship and Marketing, toured Santa Maria’s Hardy Diagnostics on Friday, March 8.

The “Business Tour” and a “Speaker Series” are coordinated by Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Strategic Initiatives Manager Yuliana Nelson. Since 2019, this ongoing partnership with the FBLA has provided over 15 speakers, community service opportunities, internships, and business tours for our high school students and staff.

The Saints found the trip engaging.

“This company offers endless job opportunities, from packaging all the way to research in science labs, which was very eye-opening to my peers and me since many of us were not aware of all of the possible jobs we can do after high school,’’ said Nixmari Chumacero, 11th grade.

“I liked how Hardy’s staff deeply care about their customer service and I had no idea that there was a company in Santa Maria that is one of the 3rd largest culture media manufacturers in the United States,’’ said Gabriela Rojas-Garcia, 11th grade.

“I am very thankful that we were allowed to visit the company and learn new things. I had so much fun learning about how your company contributes to our hospitals and the medical industry,’’ said Lizbeth Baez, 12th grade.

“I was impressed that Hardy Diagnostics was given a job (making COVID tests) that was thought to be impossible, and they surpassed all expectations during a global pandemic,” said Orlando Olivera-Venegas, 12th grade.

Cindy Quaid and Alejandra Fulton, FBLA Advisers/SMHS Business Educators added, “We are grateful for the SMVCC commitment to partner with our student organizations. Thank you SMVCC and Hardy Diagnostic staff for your time and contributions to our students' experiences. You have helped broaden the minds of our next generation of business leaders.’’

SMJUHSD Media Contact: Public Information Officer Kenny Klein 805-709-1454 or kklein@smjuhsd.org