Jackson FBLA Excels at State Leadership Conference

National Qualifiers-- (from left) Austin Lambert, Garrott Clark, Kalli Yarbro, Ethan York, Katelyn Fehr, Braxton Gill, and Madison Dowdy

The Jackson FBLA delegation of 35 students and three advisers attended the Missouri Future Business Leaders of America State Leadership Conference April 2 through 4 in Springfield, Missouri. This year saw the largest FBLA State Leadership Conference in the history of the organization as FBLA celebrated the 75th anniversary.

Sunday began with many Jackson FBLA members competing in presentation and speaking events. Students attended the Opening General Session where they learned from John Beede, a worldwide adventure icon, author, humanitarian, and extreme life enthusiast. After reaching his lifelong dream of climbing to the summit of Mount Everest, John provided leadership lessons learned from this experience.

Monday continued competitive events, Leadership Expo and students participated in various open testing events, leadership activities, and workshops. Students also voted to elect new officers for next year.

The Awards of Excellence program was held on Tuesday where Jackson FBLA had 21 students place in the top ten in the state of Missouri, with four of them excelling in two events:

Jackson FBLA had 21 students place in the top ten in the Missouri FBLA State Leadership competitive events.

10th place

Partnership with Business Project Report--Jacob Brown, Zachary Zielinski, and Emily Scott

Social Media Campaign--Lainey Conklin, Kalli Yarbro, and Shelby Hency

Community Service Project Report--Lainey Conklin and Bailey Huff

8th place

Graphic Design--Makenzi Bohnert and Eric Heider

E-business--Tyler Macke, John Singleton, and Allison Karleskint

5th place

Digital Video Production--Lynden Sides, Anna Estes and Katie Dobbs

4th place

Management Information Systems--Austin Lambert, Garrott Clark, and Ethan York

3rd place

Hospitality Management--Madison Dowdy, Braxton Gill, and Katelyn Fehr

American Enterprise Project Report--Madison Dowdy, Braxton Gill, and Kalli Yarbro

The Jackson Chapter was also recognized for Gold Chapter of the Year, Gold Seal Chapter, March of Dimes, and participation in various state projects. Future, Business Achievement Award winners and Community Service Award winners were honored.

Fourth place and higher winners will compete in Anaheim, California this summer. Braxton Gill and Madison Dowdy will be recognized for achieving the highest level--America--in the Business Achievement Awards program.