FBLA MEMBERS CELEBRATE SUCCESSES

Kelly Shields performed her award-winning five-minute public speaking exercise during the FBLA banquet. Jackson USA Signal/Mark Evans

Ken Parrett, executive director of the Jackson Chamber of Commerce, accepted his plaque as 2000 Honorary FBLA Member from President Josh Pfefferkorn. Jackson USA Signal/Mark Evans

Members of the JHS Parliamentary Procedures team showed their stuff Thursday night. From left were Alicia Alderson, Brett Price, Chairperson Abby Grossheider, Catie Myers and Adam Sherinski. Jackson USA Signal/Mark Evans

FBLA officers for 2000-2001 took their oaths of office Thursday night. From left, they were Parliamentarian Alicia Alderson, Reporter Melissa Sander, Historian Caleb Seyer, Treasurer Catie Myers, Secretary Denae Nagel, Vice President Matt Palisch and President Justin Thompson. Jackson USA Signal/Mark Evans

Fond looks at the past and optimistic glances at the future were both part of the annual Jackson High School Future Business Leaders of America's installation banquet Thursday.

Chapter members installed next year's officers, honored the 1999-2000 officers and advisors and unveiled an outstanding performance at state FBLA competition. Special awards were also given and a surprise video was presented to advisors Becky Riney and Kathy Hecht.

Twelve Jackson FBLA members accounted for a whopping 16 first place medals at state. The Jackson chapter also won the Award of Merit and were honored on the state level for their Camp Quality, chapter newsletter, Environmental Awareness, In Praise of Age, March of Dimes and Reach Out & care projects. Jackson was also recognized as having the largest (220 members) chapter in Missouri.

On the national level, the chapter won the Gold Key Award, the Hollis and Kitty Guy Gold Seal Chapter Award and were honored for having the largest chapter membership in the North Central Region.

Members of the chapter voted for Honorary FBLA Member and Outstanding FBLA Member. The honorary member for 2000 is Ken Parrett, executive director of the Jackson Chamber of Commerce. Parrett has worked closely with the FBLA, including career shadowing days and other activities.

"What better way is there for the chamber to promote future business leaders?" Parrett asked, after receiving his award.

Senior Josh Pfefferkorn, chapter, district and state FBLA president, was selected as the outstanding member.

Brandee King, meanwhile, was selected as Outstanding Supervised Business Experience (SBE) Student. She was supervised by Marla Barber and Tom Ludwig of the Buerkle Law Firm. Other students and supervisors in the SBE program were also recognized.

"It was a fun year," said Debra Hoffman, SBE supervisor. "They learned a lot. You can only simulate so much in class. It must be learned in real life."

The old slate of officers, President Josh Pfefferkorn, Vice President Abby Grossheider, Secretary Emily Unverferth, Treasurer Shelly Stover, Historian Amanda Bollinger, Reporter Kelly Shields and Parliamentarian Amanda Gould turned over the reigns in a candle-lighting ceremony, to the 2000-2001 officers, President Justin Thompson, Vice President Matt Palisch, Secretary Denae Nagel, Treasurer Catie Myers, Historian Caleb Seyer, Reporter Melissa Sander and Parliamentarian Alicia Alderson.

Thompson, meanwhile, also succeeds Pfefferkorn as district parliamentarian, while Alderson replaces Brian Haas as district parliamentarian. She is also state parliamentarian.

Hecht is ending her nine year tenure as an FBLA advisor (due to two young children at home) and business teacher Janet Koch is retiring. Both received special gifts and honors from the chapter. One highlight came when Hecht and Riney were led back into the room, blindfolded, then shown a video of FBLA highlights -- each receiving a copy of the video.

"Being a state officer truly changed my life," Pfefferkorn said during his remarks as outgoing president. "I met the governor, taught workshops at a teachers' convention and went to nationals in Chicago."

He also had praise for the two advisors.

"Mrs. Riney has more inner strength than anyone I've ever met," he said. "Mrs. Hecht is always there to look out for you."

Thompson, the incoming president, also spoke.

Below are JHS state winners:

First Place

Alicia Alderson-Parliamentary Procedures Team; Amanda Bollinger-Local Chapter Annual Business Report; Amanda Bollinger-Word Processing II; Melinda Bumett-Partnership With Business Project; Tara Herbst-Business Law; Abby Grossheider-Local Chapter Annual Business Report; Abby Grossheider-Ms. Future Business Leader; Abby Grossheider, Chairperson-Parliarnentary Procedures Team; Brandee King-Job Description Manual; Catie Myers-Parliamentary Procedures Team; Brett Price-Parliamentary Procedures Team; Josh Pfefferkorn-Who's Who in Missouri FBLA; Adam Sherinski-Parliamentary Procedures Team; Shelly Stover-Desktop Publishing; Emily Unverferth Partnership With Business Project; Emily Unverferth-Desktop Publishing

Third Place

Josh Pfefferkom-Mr. Future Business Leader; Shelly Stover-Community Service Project; Emily Unverferth-Community Service Project

Fourth Place

Justin Thompson-Business Math

Fifth Place

Kelly Shields-Public Speaking

Sixth Place

Emily Unverferth-Computer Applications; Angela Soemo-Introduction to Business Communications

Seventh Place

Katie Fink-Accounting I; Brandon Petzoldt-Introduction to Parliamentary Procedures

Eighth Place

Kelly Shields-Job Interview

Ninth Place

Caleb Seyer-FBLA Principles & Procedures

Tenth Place

Donnie Rodgers -Business Law

Brandee King-Machine Transcription

Missouri's National Parliamentary Team

Abby Grossheider, Chairperson; Alicia Alderson; Catie Myers

Outstanding Service To Local Chapter

Josh Pfefferkorn

Charles A. Newman Scholarship Recipient

Josh Pfefferkom

STATE CHAPTER AWARDS

Award of Merit

Camp Quality

Chapter Newsletter

Environmental Awareness

In Praise of Age

March of Dimes

Reach Out & Care

Largest Chapter Membership in Missouri

NATIONAL CHAPTER AWARDS

Gold Key Award

Hollis and Kitty Guy Gold Seal Chapter Award

Largest Chapter Membership in the North Central Region