Aurora FBLA members compete, finishing in top 10 at nationals

Group named Champion Chapter

  • Members of the Aurora High School chapter of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) recently attended the 2023 National Leadership Conference in Atlanta, Ga. In front, from left, are adviser Lydia Behnk, Aleah Vinkenberg, Jenna Carlson, Eva Fahrnbruch, Kasey Schuster, Addi Fahrnbruch, Piper Oswald, Morgan Calkins, Mayzi Retzlaff, Ashlyn Kottwitz, Kendal Wineteer and adviser Lois Hixson. Back row, Max Penner, Ryan Staehr, Carsen Staehr, Drew Knust, Camden Holliday, Graham Christenson, Ethan Ramaekers,
    Members of the Aurora High School chapter of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) recently attended the 2023 National Leadership Conference in Atlanta, Ga. In front, from left, are adviser Lydia Behnk, Aleah Vinkenberg, Jenna Carlson, Eva Fahrnbruch, Kasey Schuster, Addi Fahrnbruch, Piper Oswald, Morgan Calkins, Mayzi Retzlaff, Ashlyn Kottwitz, Kendal Wineteer and adviser Lois Hixson. Back row, Max Penner, Ryan Staehr, Carsen Staehr, Drew Knust, Camden Holliday, Graham Christenson, Ethan Ramaekers,

    Aurora High School students recently won awards at the 2023 National Leadership Conference of Future Business Leaders of America, Inc. (FBLA), the nation’s largest Career and Technical Student Organization focused solely on business. The event, held in Atlanta, Georgia, from June 27-30, attracted more than 13,000 middle school and high school students and educators from across the country. 
    Aurora’s 24 competitors competed in 11 presentation events and one objective testing event at the conference. In addition, two teams were finalists and competed in a second round of 15 finalists the next day. Aurora FBLA also received Champion Chapter recognition and completed a checklist of community service and professional activities through the year.
    A team consisting of Rylan Bartek, Morgan Calkins and Piper Oswald took seventh place for its Intro to Business presentation, and eighth place in Business Ethics went to Eva Fahrnbruch, Kasey Schuster and Carsen Staehr. 
    “Aurora FBLA traditionally competes well at the state and national level,” retired Aurora adviser Lois Hixson said, adding, “It is not easy to place in the top 10.” 
    Hixson was also honored at the conference. In addition to being recognized as Nebraska FBLA Adviser of the Year in the Parade of States during the opening session of the conference, Hixon was inducted into the Adviser Wall of Fame in recognition of her more than 20 years of dedicated service to the organization. Retired Aurora advisers who have received this recognition in years past include Connie King, Dave Long and Julie Jensen. 
    In addition to the Business Ethics and Intro to Business competitions, Aurora FBLA members participated in numerous events including Client Service, Max Penner; Data Analytics, Drew Knust, Camden Holliday; Data Analytics, Charlie Evans, Evan Hermanson; Digital Video Production, Ethan Ramaekers; Electronic Career Portfolio, Jake Cattau; Intro to Information Technology, Owen Luebbe; Intro to Social Media Strategies, Addison Fahrnbruch, Ryan Staehr, Ashlyn Kottwitz; Partnership with Business, Mayzi Retzlaff, Kendal Wineteer; Sales Presentation, Jenna Carlson, Parker Smith and Social Media Strategies, Graham Christenson, Kylie Svoboda, Aleah Vinkenberg. 
    Nebraska FBLA also received second place in March of Dimes donations.
    While in Atlanta the Aurora students also had the opportunity to attend an Atlanta Braves baseball game and visit the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coke, the College Football Hall of Fame, and they toured the Chick-fil-A corporate headquarters.
    More than 8,700 members from nearly 1,600 high schools and more than 850 middle school members from over 250 schools competed for cash prizes in over 100 competitive events taking place over four days. 
    Students also engaged in learning workshops, met with representatives from more than 60 colleges, universities, and employers, and heard from Jordan Davis, an educational speaker and FBLA alumnus, during  the  opening   ceremony.