Heartland FBLA attends State Leadership Conference
Twenty-seven Heartland FBLA members attended the Nebraska State Leadership Conference in Omaha on April 4-6. Nine students won 17 awards during the three-day conference. Students attending the conference along with adviser Kristy Most were: (Seniors) Kate Bergen, Audric Bulin, Jade Hiebner, Benjamin Mestl and Colton Monnier; (Juniors) Timberly Carr, Grace Janzen, Allison Kroeker, Odessa Ohrt, Harmon Perez, Halle Peters and Kalea Wetjen; (Sophomores) Kaelyn Buller, Tobin Glinsmann, Ellyn Hall, Heath Perez, Cooper Regier, Wyatt Regier and Jamie Rowe; (Freshmen) Ashley Brown, Cindy Cerveny, Ella Friesen, Elizabeth Mestl, Dawson Ohrt, Ayden Rea, Mason Regier and Kale Wetjen.
The keynote speaker of the Opening Session was Holly Hoffman. She is from Eureka, South Dakota, and was the last remaining member of the Espada Tribe and the last woman standing on Season 21 of CBS’ hit reality show “Survivor Nicaragua.” Through that experience, and others throughout her life, Holly was inspired to share her message of positivity, determination and confidence with business leaders, teachers, and students across the nation. Holly wrote “Your Winner Within” which she acknowledges that life is made up of challenges, and we are oftentimes faced with situations that seem insurmountable. But within each of us is an ability to focus our thoughts, emotions, and energy to succeed—if only we have the knowledge, tools, and discipline to do so.
The leadership conference was filled with testing, presenting and job interviewing. At the Friday evening Second General Session, the following students won Honorable Mention awards which recognized those who placed in the top 4% of each competitive event:
Colton Monnier – Business Calculations and Personal Finance
Odessa Ohrt – Personal Finance
Halle Peters – Health Care Administration and Organizational Leadership
Ellyn Hall - Introduction to Business
Kale Wetjen – Securities and Investments
The top eight winners in each event were announced at the Awards Program on Saturday morning. The students who placed in the top of each event will represent Nebraska at the National Leadership Conference in San Antonio, Texas, this summer. The following students won top eight awards:
3rd place
Dawson Ohrt – Introduction to Business
4th place
Grace Janzen, Odessa Ohrt and Colton Monnier – Marketing
Grace Janzen and Odessa Ohrt – Global Business
Kale Wetjen – Introduction to Business
6th place
Colton Monnier - Economics
7th place
Jade Hiebner – Word Processing
Jamie Rowe - Introduction to Information Technology
Kale Wetjen – Introduction to Financial Math
8th place
Grace Janzen and Odessa Ohrt – Publication Design
Colton Monnier also earned Who’s Who in Nebraska FBLA for our chapter. Congratulations to all members for a great conference!!