Submitted photo (Counter-clockwise) Mariah Munyer, Jenna Wangler, Rylee Kuntz, Kaitlyn Linstrom, Amber Schmaltz, Megan Schmaltz, Patty Hendrickson, Leadership Development Presenter, Christian Loughman and Trenton Sanford.

The Rugby High School FBLA officer team/members attended the 77th Annual Fall Leadership Conference in Bismarck. FBLA members from across the state participated in the conference with over 500 students from across North Dakota in attendance.

Members who attended the conference had the opportunity to participate in workshops focusing on creating, leading and inspiring their FBLA chapters. Keynote speaker and session presenter, Patty Hendrickson provided leadership development entitled “It’s Your Life: Create, Lead, Inspire.” Her session was full of high energy and interactive that highlighted the greatest asset YOU! She encouraged everyone to work on developing their leadership skills in order to maximize their personal development and take this learning back to their chapters. Other sessions were FBLA Basics that concentrated on the national programs, such as the Go for the North Dakota Gold. “None of US is As Smart as All of Us: Engaging Your Members” to be able to identify those members who make things happen and get others to jump on board.

Congratulations to Jenna Wangler, Amber Schmaltz, Megan Schmaltz, Trenton Sanford, Mariah Munyer, Christian Loughman, Kaitlyn Linstrom and Rylee Kuntz for their successful participation at the conference and bringing home this experience to share with our chapter members. The officer team has completed the 2018-2019 Program of Work and have planned an excellent and energizing year! Members will be practicing their events, fundraising, community volunteer work, business achievement activities and leadership development research; all to be competitively ready for the State Leadership Conference and Competition March 31-April 2, 2019 in Bismarck. Students who place in the top four places in each event then quality for the National Leadership Conference and Competition which will be held June 26-July 3, 2019 in San Antonio, Texas.

FBLA is a professional organization for students interested in pursuing business careers. This year’s theme “Lead. Create. Inspire” reflects the mission and goals that FBLA members strive to achieve. North Dakota FBLA members are some of the best and brightest of today’s young people. FBLA’s mission is to bring business and education together in a positive working relationship through innovative leadership and career development programs. If your business would like to help sponsor our chapter, or we can help you in any way, please let us know how we can get involved. You are welcome to contact our advisor, Paola Trottier, at Rugby High School: (701) 776-5201 or e-mail: paola.trottier@k12.nd.us.

To learn more, visit the North Dakota FBLA’s website at www.nd-fbla.org or the national web site at www.fbla.org. Like us on our Facebook page at Rugby High School FBLA.

– Rugby High School FBLA