FBLA SLC

No, it isn't any secret code. It stands for the following - Future Business Leaders of America State Leadership Conference. I have been lucky enough to do the mom-thing to chaperone several of these trips over the years. You have students from all of the state, all classes of schools, competing, socializing, and celebrating their success.

It happens every year around the first week in April in Omaha. Students, from all classes of schools who belong to FBLA, gather to compete in a huge variety of categories of business related competitions. These competitions keep up with the every changing business world plus still do the basics. The competitions range from spelling, accounting I and II, job interviews to one of the newest fields, cyber security.

Some of these competitions are completed at school ahead of the conference and sent in. The other amazing thing is sometimes there are upwards of 400+ kids taking the same test, and for some of our kids that is more people in one room than live in their entire town.

The winners of these competitions on the state level get to go to the National FBLA conference. This year it is in Atlanta.

The other neat thing is they have workshops on a variety of subjects from self-improvement to community involvement via volunteer works. They bring in speakers of national caliber who do great job of motivating and inspiring these future leaders.

Nebraska FBLA supports the March of Dimes and MADD (Mother's Against Drunk Driving). Local chapters are encouraged to do volunteer work for good causes in their own communities. The local clubs report these activities in their reports. They are on display for everyone to read and I am always awestruck by the amount of good works these kids do.

Southwest Nebraska was well represented by Dundy County-Stratton, Chase County, Wauneta-Palisade, Cambridge, Hitchcock County and Southwest Consolidated. In fact, this next year will see Cambridge FBLA have a state officer among their club for the third year in a row. THAT IS AWESOME.

It was cool to have kids from our smaller, rural schools stand on stage along with the kids from larger schools and celebrate ALL their successes. When they go to the National conference, they will get to compete nationally!! Wow!!

Good luck and safe travels to those attending the National Leadership Conference in Georgia this summer.