Odessa FBLA teams first and sixth in the naiton

By TERRI KING

Anaheim, Calif. was the destination for 14 students from Odessa High School who competed in the 2013 Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) National Leadership Conference. With the support of the community and the school, it was a trip of a lifetime and an experience we will not forget!

With over 9,000 students from around the nation competing in 60 events, competition was tough, but our little high school was quite successful. Odessa students competed in five different events, with most events having 50-75 competitors. After months of work and preparation, we were so proud when two of our teams received awards.

Receiving first place was the Partnership with Business Team of Jenna Shafer, Carsen Weber, Trevor King and Alexis Burdick. They received this award for the 30-page report and seven-minute presentation they gave about our chapter’s partnership with the AgriBusiness Council of Greater Spokane and the work we accomplished together at the AgExpo Farm Forum. Those observing the presentation noted that it was flawless and powerful. This is the third time Odessa has received a first-place award at the national conference, so the awards ceremony was again a thrill.

Receiving sixth place was the Business Financial Plan Team of Carley Williams, Chelsea Fisher and Steven Braun. This team was required to write a business plan and apply for a business loan for a fictitious pet grooming and kenneling business called Pampered Pooches. After much research and guidance from groomers and an accountant, the team wrote a 15-page financial plan and gave a presentation about their proposal for a successful business. Their final presentation was amazing, and they impressed the judges and the audience.

Jared King represented Odessa’s Local Chapter Annual Business Report committee. The 30-page report summarized our chapter’s activities for the entire year and identified how the Odessa chapter has met all of the national FBLA goals.

The Community Service Project Team of Stacia Lesser, Dakota Largent and Anna Renee Bockman competed in their first national conference ever. They presented our chapter’s work with the building of a new community kitchen. The two freshmen and one sophomore wrote a 25-page report and gave a seven-minute presentation. Our chapter was very proud of Odessa’s youngest team ever for the hours they spent preparing for their presentation and the composure and intensity with which they spoke.

Three seniors, Markus Smith, Zach Schaal and Nick Tebow, competed in the American Enterprise Project. Their 25-page report and seven-minute presentation summarized our chapter’s work in teaching students throughout the school about the role agriculture plays in the American Enterprise System. These young men have represented Odessa well for the last four years and gave a fine performance at their last FBLA conference.

Anaheim was a new adventure for many. Of course, visiting Disneyland and California Adventure was a must. The students enjoyed playing in the rip tides and body surfing at Huntington Beach as well as a day at Knott’s Berry Farms. Hanging out in the hotel and around the pool meeting new kids from all over the country was another highlight for many. Eating at In and Out Burger was the culinary highlight.

Traveling to Anaheim and competing in a national conference is a unique experience. Winning first and sixth place is a dream come true. Our FBLA chapter has worked very hard to achieve success, but we realize that it would never have happened without the support of the school, the parents and most importantly, the community. We appreciate the endless hours parents spend cooking, cleaning, and working to help raise the money needed for the trip. We appreciate the generosity of the Odessa Trading Co., Odessa Drug and the Odessa Chamber of Commerce for kindly hiring students to work or allowing them to be event vendors. We appreciate the community members who supported the Baby Doll Race and fireworks fundraisers. We appreciate the entire Odessa School District staff and school board for always going the extra mile to help us out in so many ways.

Terri King is the business teacher at Odessa High School and advisor to the FBLA chapter.