Fleetwood Area High School Students Compete in FBLA State Competition

The Fleetwood Area High School chapter of Future Business Leaders of America attended the State Leadership Conference in April. 

This competition was held from Monday, April 8, to Tuesday, April 9, at the Giant Center in Hershey. Students had the choice between several events in which to compete, including individual and group tests and several different presentation categories. 

“The state competition is where all of the people who place top in their regional events compete for finals, then nationals,” junior Nevin Kile said. 

Students who place in the top four within their event qualify for the national competition. This year’s National Leadership Conference will be held in Orlando, Florida. 

Seniors Rachelle Atchina and Cloey Rentschler competed in the Community Service Project event at states. This chapter project required a 17-page report that was judged to determine if the pair qualified for states. They also filmed a video presentation with the help of Mr. Kirby Barnett and presented in person at states. 

“I began in August of last year, and I am still working on it. I worked with a lot of students, teachers, Mrs. Ackerman, and my partner, Cloey Rentchler, to be able to pull off the Community Service Project,” Atchina said. 

FBLA provides students with an opportunity to network and grow connections with students from all over the state. 

“I also have friends through FBLA at other schools now who I love to go see and talk to,” Atchina said.

Along with gaining connections with others, FBLA allows students to explore their own strengths and weaknesses and gain confidence. 

“It opens so many doors, not only through networking, but also doors of self-reflection into seeing what you are good and bad at, as well as improving your public speaking, presenting, and planning,” Atchina said.