FBLA to take on national competition in California

After conquering the state competition last month, some members of the Future Business Leaders of America are headed to nationals in California.

“I was very happy [that] these students qualified,” Shannon Fermanich, Business Education teacher and FBLA advisor said. “Our area includes these big schools, such as Stevenson, so the fact that our students beat out other large schools [was a] good feeling.”

Four students advanced from the state meet on March 24-25 (Alex Li, senior, Annie Li, sophomore, Grace Kinsey, junior, and Meggie Furlong, junior) qualified for nationals. Nationals, said Alex Li, senior, will be held from June 28 to July 2 in Anaheim, California.

He and Annie Li will be going, and Li said he is very excited for the networking opportunities it will provide. “Being able to meet people from other schools is one of the best experiences you can have…it just broadens your worldview,” Li said.

Li is also anticipating the sessions provided when he is not competing.

“That’s actually the main thing,” Li said. “You take the test, and that’s an hour, and then you essentially don’t do anything else related to your actual competition.”
Li said the event also showcases several speakers whose workshops he tries to attend as much as possible.