FBLA sends 18 to National Leadership Conference in Nashville

Nashville, Tennessee was the destination for 18 students from Odessa High School who competed in the 2014 National Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Conference. With the support of the community and the school, it was the trip of a lifetime and an experience they will not forget!

With 10,000 students from around the nation in attendance, competition was tough, but our little high school was one of the most successful competitors there. Odessa students competed in five different events, against 75-100 teams, which kept everyone very busy late into the evenings as we practiced for competition. Thanks to the help of Jeanie Read, Kelly Weber and Patty Williams, students were well prepared and confident for their presentations.

Zoe Clark, Molly Schafer and Brad Johnston competed in the American Enterprise Project, which focused on Entrepreneurs, Past, Present and Future. This freshmen team was thrilled when they were awarded seventh place in the nation. The Partnership with Business team of Alexis Burdick, Stacia Lesser, Chance Messer and Steven Braun received an eighth-place award for their work with the Agribusiness Council of Spokane with their project, “The Business of Agriculture.”

Also competing were Chelsea Fisher, Carsen Weber and Trevor King in Business Financial Plan and Carley Williams, Hannah Schmidt and Nathyn Winslow in Local Chapter Annual Business Report. Odessa’s final group was the Community Service Project team of Jenna Shafer, Elizabeth Larson, Katie DeWulf, Dakota Largent and Tyler Paris. Their project involved presenting the Odessa chapter’s work with the Bureau of Land Management to improve the Crater’s Loop Trail north of Odessa.

Nashville was a new adventure for most, and even those who didn’t enjoy country music loved the friendly city and its many sites. Some of the highlights included touring RCA Studio B, the first recording studio in Nashville and used by all the entertainers, including Elvis Presley, who recorded 262 songs in the studio.

Attending a live performance of the Grand Ole Opry, followed by a backstage tour, was an exciting experience. We were fortunate to have eight entertainers perform, some old, some new.

Our travels also included a trip to the Belle Meade Plantation, a tour of the Country Museum Hall of Fame, an excursion to historic Franklin, Tennessee, and a tour of the Lane Motor Museum. Dining at the Loveless Café, Puckett’s and White Castle gave students the opportunity to try some great southern cooking. Nashville is definitely a musical city and everyone enjoyed walking around downtown Nashville and enjoying the live music playing in every establishment.

The Odessa School District administration and staff provided support to the local chapter throughout the year. The Odessa community also supported our fundraising efforts and there were many acts of generosity that made this experience possible for so many students.