Twenty-six members of the Rugby High School Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter attended the ND FBLA State Leadership Conference in Grand Forks March 27-29. Over fifty FBLA chapters from across the state participated in this conference, where approximately 1,300 students had the opportunity to test their business skills against other students from around the state.

The most exciting aspect of the conference is the competitive events program. Students have the opportunity to test the business skills they’ve learned in the classroom in over 54 individual, team and chapter events. Students can enter events such as accounting, computer applications, public speaking, job interview, website development, cyber security, business procedures, or networking concepts.

The culmination of the competitive events program is the awards ceremony where winners are recognized for their accomplishments. In addition to the competitive events program, students had the opportunity to attend workshops, business tours, and tours of UND and Ralph Engelstad Arena. A new team of state officers was also elected at the conference.

Chapter winners were as follows: Emily Pfeifer, 4th, Accounting I, and 6th, Business Procedures; Riley Olsen, 4th, Cyber Security; Emily Voeller and Ashley Leier, 4th, Digital Scrapbook; Kenzie Cameron, Sydney Kraft, and Shanaya Fred, 5th, Chapter Activities Scrapbook; ; Gabby Samuda, 6th, Website Design; Brittney Kleespie, 8th, Cyber Security; Andrew Hershey, 10th, Accounting I, Membership Madness Award, and Local Chapter Who’s Who Award; Rugby Chapter, Membership Achievement Award and FBLA ND Gold Award; 25 chapter members, Business Achievement Award Future Level; Mrs. Paola Trottier, 5-year Advisor Certificate.

FBLA is a professional organization for students interested in pursuing business careers. This year’s theme “Breaking Barriers” reflects the goals of FBLA members. Its mission is to bring business and education together in a positive working relationship through innovative leadership and career development programs.