Odessa shines in Anaheim

Anaheim, California was the destination for 29 members of Odessa High School’s Future Business Leaders of America chapter competing in the 2017 National Leadership Conference. Over 12,000 students were in attendance competing in nearly 100 events. Odessa competed in ten events, the most ever, and were thrilled when members placed in five of these events!

Two Business Financial Plan teams came away with awards. The team of Molly Schafer, Eric Johnston and Jayd Jennings placed third, and the team of Wyatt Haase, Ireland Luiten and Jaden Hunt placed ninth. Both teams wrote a business plan for a family fun entertainment center in hopes of getting a business loan to open the doors.

The Community Service Project team of Chance Messer, Tori Weishaar, Brad Johnston, Brady Walter, and Maddy Wagner presented our chapter’s “Four Seasons of Service” projects including the “Toasty Tots” campaign where the freshmen class decorated and sold pumpkins to purchase winter clothing for children, the “Hunger Boxes” project with provided children with food over Christmas break, “Senior Meals” where are chapter cooked and delivered 500 freezer meals to Odessa senior citizens, and “Cash for a Splash” where members raised $2,5000 to purchase a heat pump for the Odessa swimming pool.

Eighth place honors went to the American Enterprise Project team of Kassidy Crossley, Destiny German, Brenna Carstensen, Theron Schlomer Kenadie Elder and Arianna German. These students presented their project on “Fair Trade” in the American Enterprise System.

Ninth place honors went to Zoe Clark, Rebecca Fortner and Wyatt Haase who first, ensured that our chapter met all the many national FBLA requirements throughout the year by submitting reports and overseeing activities, then summarized our chapter’s efforts for the past year and submitted it in a Local Chapter Annual Business Report. Our chapter had received many accolades throughout the year which helped to win this competition.

Also competing was the Partnership with Business team of Rebecca Fortner, Zoe Clark, Colton Hunt, McKennah Davison and Joshua Clark who shared our chapter’s partnership with Lead2Feed.

John DeWulf, Camden Weber and Marcus King wrote and presented their business plan for Chain Reaction, a mobile bike repair business.

Odessa’s Business Ethics team of Maddy Wagner, Joshua Clark and Zoe Clark researched and shared their opinion on the ethics of doing social media background checks for potential job candidates.

The team Elizabeth Larson, Megan Shafer and Josie Westmoreland gave one of the cleverest and most entertaining presentations with their Social Media Campaign for a subscription television show they called Time, a show they created and marketed.

Colby Sooy, who had placed first at State FBLA, competed in the Ag Business test.

In addition to nine competitions, the Odessa FBLA Lead2Feed chairmen, Zoe Clark, Colton Hunt, Tori Weishaar and Rebecca Fortner, presented at three Lead2Feed sessions for all FBLA members and advisers.

The week in Anaheim was action packed. While students spent their nights practicing, their days were spent at Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farms, Huntington Beach and an Angel’s game where the Mariners beat the Angels 10-0. Anaheim is a fun city and a great experience for all.

The community of Odessa provided generous support, giving these students the opportunity of a lifetime. They definitely came home wiser, more confident and stronger leaders because of this experience. Financial support also came from the Odessa Alumni Association, the StumpJumpers Motorcycle Club, the Odessa Union, past FBLA national competitors, and everyone locally who hired students to work for providing fundraising opportunities and meal money. The Odessa school staff, administrators and school board supplied never-ending encouragement and support of the chapter. Only in a small town could we pull off the kind of successes Odessa experiences.

Three speech coaches worked around the clock all week long. Kelly Weber used her vast knowledge and experience of the FBLA system, working tirelessly to bring out the best in every student; Lisa Martin shared her patience, energy and business expertise with our chapter and as a national judge and Patty Williams cared for each and every student, making sure they always had a smile. Odessa can be very proud of their 29 future business leaders!