The Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) team competed at the State Leadership Conference (SLC) in Kearney from Thursday, April 11, to Saturday, April 13. FBLA members spent the three days competing, electing the Nebraska state leadership team, networking with other schools and attending seminars. 

“I really enjoyed FBLA State. I didn’t expect it to be as fun as it was, but I got to meet more of our chapter because we were all together all the time,” junior Alaina Miller said. “We put in a lot of effort. I think it was well worth the outcome.”

The conference had 77 different events to compete in, consisting of objective tests, role plays and presentational competitions. Each Southwest member chose five events to compete in.

“My favorite part about State FBLA was getting to network with people. While voting for next year’s cabinet for Nebraska FBLA, I got to talk with many candidates and their team about FBLA to help our chapter decide who to vote for,” junior Alexandria Lionberger said. “Hearing everyone’s story was very inspiring to me and I’m glad I got out of my comfort zone to network with the FBLA community.”

Senior Ram Chauradia and juniors Stefani Johnson and Autumn Stock were recognized at State for accumulating 100 FBLA points throughout the school year, earning them the All-State Quality Member award.  

Southwest had 10 students qualify for nationals and will be sending seven to the National Leadership Conference (NLC) in Orlando, Florida.

The national qualifiers include: Senior Chauradia, juniors Cole Wilkason, Jada Frank, Elliana Witt, Isha Valloppilly, Johnson, Stock, Lionberger, Miller and sophomore Claire Timperley. 

“Me and my team put in many hours of work to prepare for our sales presentation event at state. We worked every week starting from November up until April to present the best presentation we could prepare for,” Lionberger said. “Qualifying for nationals was extremely rewarding for me and my team (Alaina and Isha).”

Southwest will travel to NLC in Orlando, Florida from Friday, June 28 to Wednesday, July 2. 

Awards

1 place – Stock (Graphic Design), Wilkason (Advertising), Timperley (Impromptu Speaking) 

2 place – Stock (Supply Chain Management), Johnson, Frank and Witt (Business Plan), Timperley (Introduction to Financial Math)

3 place – Miller, Lionberger and Valloppilly (Sales Presentation) 

4 place – Timperley (UX Design and Organizational Leadership) 

5 place – Chauradia (Securities & Investments and Insurance & Risk Management) 

7 place – Frank (Organizational Leadership)

8 place – Aubrey Bailey (Electronic Career Portfolio)