FBLA qualifies 5 for nationals

Coal City High School’s chapter of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) advanced five members to the organizations’ national leadership conference during the 70th annual State Leadership Conference.
Members, advisors and guests from chapters across the state participated in the 2019 conference held April 5 and 6 at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield. The two-day conference, with “Create, Lead, Inspire” as the theme provided members an opportunity to expand their business skills and compete in over 60 competitive events.
Of the 19 CCHS students who competed in 11 different events, 15 made their way to the stage, having placed in the top 10 of their category of competition.
Lizzie Easton, Bailey Cole and Marissa Stoffel earned a first place rating in E-Business, a placement that advances them to the national leadership conference this summer in San Antonio, Texas. The placement earned the trio the chapter’s second state championship in its five-year history.
Also qualifying for nationals were Michael Butler who took second place in Introduction to Information Technology and Nolan O’Keefe who earned a second place rating in Computer Game and Simulation Programming.
The top four placers in each event earn a spot in the national competition.
Coal City had 10 other members who placed in their respective event and received medals in the state competition. They were Alexis Medina and Natalie Durham, sixth place, Public Service Announcement; Preston Johnson, Cody Rogers and Ben Kreiger, sixth place, Emerging Business Issues; Lynzie Norris, Molly Stiles and Lauren Ferrari, eighth place, Business Ethics; Lauren Phillips, eighth place, Sales Presentation, and Jessica Murphy, ninth place, Publication Design.
When not competing, members had the opportunity to attend educational workshops and tour the Illinois State Capitol.
“Coal City’s FBLA chapter looks forward to finishing their year strong and returning to the state leadership conference next year with more competitors,” said Murphy, who serves as the chapter reporter.
FBLA is the largest student business organization in the world with more than a quarter of a million members. FBLA prepares students for real world professional experiences.
The local chapter is advised by Harlan Kennell.