FBLA’s winter conference

Odessa

The Odessa High School FBLA chapter competed at the Northeast Region FBLA Conference on February 1 in Spokane. Odessa had a strong showing with 41 students attending the conference. After weeks of practicing and studying, the chapter came home with 18 awards.

First-place awards went to Kim Nelson (FBLA Principles and Procedures), Kira Powell (Client Service and Future Business Leader) and Charli Moffet (Public Speaking II).

Second-place awards were won by Jared King (Job Interview), the team of Kendall Todd, Koralynne Kuch and Cade Weber (Business Ethics), Thorsen Wehr (Computer Applications), the team of Kendall Todd and Koralynne Kuch (Desktop Publishing) and the team of Hailey Williams, Austin Schmierer and Kira Powell (Emerging Business Issues).

Garnering fourth place were the team of Lacey Nelson, Koralynne Kuch and Jared King (Emerging Business Issues), Chris Brown (Computer Applications), Thorsen Wehr (Word Processing I) and Anna Anderson (FBLA Principles and Procedures).

In fifth place were Melani Fehrer (Healthcare Administration), Chelsea Fisher (Public Speaking I), the team of Melani Fehrer and Lacey Nelson (Desktop Publishing), Chris Brown (Word Processing I) and the team of Dakota Largent and Tyler Paris (Business Graphics).

Making the finals was also Trevor King (Public Speaking I).

Deanna Nelson and Denys Smith went with the group as chaperones and also worked as timers for the public speaking event.

The FBLA chapter members next begin preparing for the State Leadership Conference to be held in Spokane in April. Besides competing in the above events, members will also enter their projects for Partnership with Business, Business Plan, Business Financial Plan, Community Service Project, Digital Video Production, Electronic Career Portfolio and Local Chapter Annual Business.

Harrington

The Harrington Chapter of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) participated in the Winter Conference and competitions February 1. Over 500 students from Northeast Washington competed in over 40 different events. The conference is an important part of FBLA, as students are able to gain experience that will serve them well once they graduate from high school. Client Services, Accounting, Business Ethics, Personal Finance and Job Interview are just a few of the events in which students can participate.

The team of Lexie Hirst, Ashley Baarstad and Ellie Hedreen took second place in Business Presentation. According to Harrington FBLA advisor Jason Spakousky, they did a fantastic job presenting the dangers of texting and driving. Their presentation focused not only on the danger involved, but also included helpful tips to avoid the temptation to put oneself and others in danger.

The conference could not have succeeded without the help of numerous volunteers from local businesses and schools. The time they donated to help students succeed was invaluable, said Spakousky.