CHS student represents state at conference

Aaron Mehner, a junior at Cape Central High School, represented the state of Missouri at the Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL) National Leadership Conference in San Antonio, Texas, June 29 -- July 2, 2012. Competing in FBLA-PBL's national awards program, Aaron vied for top honors in Business Math against state representatives from across the United States, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Bermuda, Guam, the Cayman Islands, and the Department of Defense schools worldwide.

The competition is part of a competitive-events program sponsored annually by FBLA-PBL, a professional association for students pursuing business careers. Individuals, local chapters, and state teams compete in over 50 events representing a range of business, career, and leadership development activities. The winners of these challenging and prestigious awards are selected from FBLA-PBL's over 210,000 members, and have won regional and state competitions to qualify for the national awards program. The 8300 delegates to the 60th annual conference elected national student officers and attended business and leadership workshops in addition to competing in business and career skill events.

This year's national theme, "FBLA-PBL: Gateway to Greatness" reflects the goals of FBLA-PBL members, some of the best and the brightest of today's young people. FBLA-PBL is a nonprofit organization that prepares students for careers in business and business education. Its 210,000 members and advisers in 6,000 chartered chapters include students from the United States, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Bermuda, Guam, the Cayman Islands and Europe. Its mission is to bring business and education together in a positive working relationship through innovative leadership and career development programs.

Aaron, son of John and Kristy Mehner, said of the trip, "FBLA Nationals was the best trip I have ever taken. It helped me open up more as a person and it furthered my leadership skills. It was an unforgettable opportunity and I would love to return next year."

Mrs. Theresa Taylor, Cape Central FBLA advisor and business teacher, accompanied Aaron to the conference. "Aaron is only my seventh student in twelve years of teaching to reach the national level, and I am very proud of him," she said.