Missouri members of Future Business Leaders of America brought home 42 top-10 finishes from the National Leadership Conference in Baltimore, Md. The students competed in events in the fields of business, finance, and information technology, including 3D animation, website design, banking and financial systems, and sales presentation. Each of the events mirrored education standards while challenging students to engage in creative problem solving in real-world scenarios.

Fifteen of the students celebrated first-, second-, or third-place finishes:

• Danielle Kessels and Zachary Sutton, Pacific High School, Meramec Valley R-III School District, first place, 3D animation
• Grace Hanson, Ryan Dye and Mekenzie Dalton, Platte County R-III High School, first place, partnership with business project
• Reese Zollman and Brock Lewis, Lathrop R-II High School, second place, broadcast journalism
• Gabe Luebbert and Heidi Royer, Fulton 58 High School, third place, business ethics
• Jaylea Bixenman and Katelyn Cupp, Marceline R-V High School, third place, business financial plan
• Laura White, Salisbury R-IV High School, third place, client service
• Connor Davis, Staley High School, North Kansas City 74 School District, third place, coding and programming
• Adina Cazacu-DeLuca, John Burroughs School (St. Louis), third place, journalism
• Matthew Froman, Canton R-V High School, third place, public speaking
   

In addition, Eli Amyx, Gainesville R-V High School, will serve the association as a national officer. Eli was elected as vice president of the FBLA North Central Region.

The students were among nearly 700 high school and college students from across the country who participated in the National Leadership Conference. The students networked with industry leaders from KPMG, Men’s Wearhouse and the American Management Association; interacted with global members from Haiti, China and Hungary; and toured historic sites in the greater Washington, D.C. area.

Through FBLA, high school students explore college and career opportunities through a number of educational programs. Members take part in academic competitions, meet industry leaders and perform community service projects. Members also have access to scholarships from select academic institutions.