Ethan Domenech, Trevor Richards, Sadie Hutsell, and FBLA Sponsor, Mrs. Stacie Hutsell from Licking R-8 High School tested and participated in events at Future Business Leaders of America, Inc.’s (FBLA) National Leadership Conference (NLC). Missouri competitors were required to stay in the Hilton Orlando and participated in events held in the West Concourse of the Orange County Convention Center. The event, held in Orlando, Florida, from June 24 to July 2, attracted more than 18,000 middle school, high school, and college students, educators, and volunteers from across the country. The NLC provides education, competition, and networking opportunities centered on business.
More than 12,000 students from nearly 2,100 schools in 43 U.S. states and territories and two countries competed in more than 100 business-related events for cash prizes totaling over $120,000. Students also had the opportunity to engage in over 200 learning workshops and meet with representatives from more than 100 colleges, universities, and employers, including CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP), FICO, Fidelity, McGraw Hill, Men’s Wearhouse, National Geographic Learning/Cengage, the National Retail Federation, PNC Bank, the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, and U.S. Coast Guard.
Additionally, Middle School and High School members heard from Shawn D. Nelson, the Founder & CEO of Lovesac, who shared advice from his experience as an entrepreneur. Gorick Ng, a Wall Street Journal bestselling author and career adviser at Harvard University, offered tips to Collegiate members about how to start their careers successfully.
Trevor, Sadie, and Mrs. Hutsell attended the Missouri meeting after gathering registration materials on Friday afternoon. Saturday they explored Disney World before picking up Ethan from the airport (after a long and successful week as Attorney General of Blair City at Missouri Boys State) and headed to Opening Session. Sunday the attendees explored booths in the Expo such as the FBLA Marketplace, The United States Academic Esports League, Fidelity Youth, Mastery Coding, Business U, My Options Encourage, and National Geographic Learning. Participants attended workshops (Theme Parks: Making the Fantastic Real and Courtroom Masterminds: Business Law) before Ethan tested in his objective event, Business Law. Monday Mrs. Hutsell proctored Open Events then Ethan, Trevor, and Sadie tested and successfully earned their A*S*K certifications for Fundamentals of Ethics and Ethan earned an additional A*S*K certification for Fundamental Business Concepts before they took a drive to see parts of the Space Coast and Cocoa Beach. Tuesday they explored Universal Studios Orlando before attending the Awards of Excellence Ceremony and encouraging Missouri competitors as they achieved top ten placement in the Nation. Wednesday, Ethan boarded his flight and the remainder began the drive home. FBLA NLC was not only competitive, educational, enlightening, and character building, but the experiences along with connections to individuals, organizations, and industries is unmatched for high school Business Career and Technical Education programs. Mrs. Stacie Hutsell, LHS FBLA Sponsor says,"We are thankful and grateful for the Administrative and Board support from Licking School District to support our students in achieving their goals and advancing their futures through their competitive participation in FBLA NLC in Orlando."
“Our student members brought their best to Orlando and impressed our more than 800 judges with their extensive knowledge in areas as diverse as accounting to impromptu speaking to sports management,” FBLA Interim President & CEO Randy W. Fiser said. “As they return home from this transformative experience, they do so with more self-confidence, more professional contacts, and more tools to lead the workforce of the future.”
Future Business Leaders of America, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) education association with more than 200,000 middle school, high school, and college members worldwide. FBLA inspires and prepares students to become community-minded business leaders in a global society through relevant career preparation and leadership experiences. The association is headquartered in Reston, Virginia, just outside of Washington, D.C. For more information, visit fbla.org.