- March 31, 2026
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When Gabriella Martinez Reyes was on stage March 15 in Orlando in front of 16,000 people, she changed into her alter ego.
Filled with passion and intensity, the normally shy Reyes can speak to large crowds with ease, especially when it has to do with Future Business Leaders of America.
FBLA is the largest business career tech and technical organization in the nation that serves over 200,000 members nationwide.
“And now… your 2026-2027 FBLA state president — Gabriella Martinez Reyes!”
When Reyes heard the announcement, she made her way to the middle of the stage, hands together, absorbing the fact she won the election. Applause erupted and Reyes put her hand over her heart, her eyes wide as she took deep breaths to remain as calm as possible.
Reyes, a 16-year-old junior at Lakewood Ranch High School, was named the president of the Florida Future Business Leaders of America at the state conference.
FBLA was founded in Florida 75 years ago and Reyes is the first student from Manatee County to hold the position. She ran as "Gaby the GOAT" which means "greatest of all time."
“It hasn't fully sunk in yet,” Reyes said. “It sunk in a little bit when I stood in front of everybody with mascara marks running down my face. Just thinking about it, I'm so excited for it. I'm so happy and honored that they believed in me enough to elect me as their state president.”
During her presidency, she will oversee approximately 11,000 members from middle and high schools in Florida.
One of her biggest goals as president is to continue to expand opportunities for middle school students as she will serve on the Florida FBLA executive board of directors, which makes rules and policies for FBLA.
“I want to make greatness achievable and accessible to every member,” Reyes said. “My big thing was whether you have 500 members or if you have just five members, you are still able to succeed within the organization because of all the opportunities that I hope to bring as state president. I want to give everyone a chance to shine no matter their circumstances.”
Reyes joined FBLA five years ago when she attended Dr. Mona Jain Middle School. When she first began, there were only four members and as chapter president in eighth grade, she helped grow the organization to 40 members.
Sharelies Rodriguez is the Florida FBLA District 18 Director and a career and technology education teacher at Lakewood Ranch High School. When Rodriguez met Reyes, Reyes was in eighth grade. Rodriguez knew that Reyes first appeared as quiet and shy, but she said she was certain she could do great things.
“She has big dreams and I am positive she will make them become a reality because when she sets a goal, she just goes for it,” Rodriguez said. “It is an honor for me to be able to support her during this part of her journey and get to witness firsthand how she navigates this chapter of her life. I am extremely proud of her and I am honored to be able to contribute somehow to her future.”
Ariana Pressimone, also a junior at Lakewood Ranch High School and a member of FBLA, said within the Lakewood Ranch chapter, Reyes is always keeping up morale, maintaining organization and ensuring that everything runs smoothly. Pressimone described Reys as a dedicated and passionate person who puts 100% into everything she does.
“I hope that she is able to complete the goals she set forth before entering office, but most importantly, I hope that she has the best time while doing so,” Pressimone said. “She worked so hard for this position and she deserves to live every minute of this opportunity, with the struggle and success that comes with the experience while in office.”
“Hopefully I'm not the last and we will definitely have more state presidents from Manatee County in the future,” Reyes said. “I hope that I'm sort of like the catalyst and I can spark that reaction within everyone else across the county.”
Reyes hopes to go to law school and eventually open up her own law firm. Her mom, Hilda Martinez Reyes, said it means the world to her to see her take charge and she has no doubt she will make a great attorney.
“She understands that she is a Latina who needs to always keep her head high and show everyone her strong values to serve others and the commitment to always do the right thing,” Hilda Martinez Reyes. “With such values, she will be a strong leader in everything she aims for in her future.”
