After weeks of preparing presentations and taking tests, members of Herrin High School’s chapter of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) showcased their talents in business at the State Leadership Conference. Many competitors walked away with prestigious honors and coveted top-ten placements.
The State Leadership Conference was held in Springfield, Illinois, and took place March 28–29. Over 1,500 students gathered from across the entire state, all competing in various business-related events such as public speaking, marketing, finance, and entrepreneurship. In addition to competition, the conference offered leadership workshops, networking opportunities, and keynote speakers aimed at preparing students for their future careers in business.
Numerous Herrin FBLA members stood out at the conference with top 10 finishes. Chris Banks (11) placed first in Computer Applications. Russell Caldwell (12) secured fifth place in Computer Problem Solving. Placing third in Word Processing was Bailey Kern (11). The group of Ryleigh Coffey (9), Sofia Davis (9), and Lia Young (9) placed fifth in Intro to Event Planning. Madeline Boyd (11) placed sixth in Spreadsheets. Placing sixth in the Community Service Project were Delaney Restivo (12), Cooper Christ, and Aubrey Huff (10). Emily Hosmon also placed sixth in the Local Chapter Annual Business Report (LCABR). Joshua Jones (12) placed sixth in Fundamentals of AI and ninth in Networking Infrastructures. Parker Coop (11) placed seventh in UX Design, while Charlie Schloemann (11) and Nolan Gentile (11) placed eighth in Marketing. Emmarie Bires (12) placed ninth in Electronic Career Portfolio, and the group of Vince Champion (12), Kolby Coffey (12), and Luke McClusie (12) placed ninth in Entrepreneurship.
In addition, some FBLA members qualified for the National Leadership Conference. Emily Hosmon (12) earned first place in the Future Business Leader event. The Future Business Leader event is prestigious because it tests leadership, business knowledge, and professionalism through both a tough exam and a competitive interview, with only a few top students advancing. Nolen Frost (10) also claimed first in Intro to FBLA. Russell Caldwell (12) placed second in Fundamentals of AI. Additionally, the team of juniors Maddie Martin, Cooper Christ, and Gracie Craft placed third in Hospitality and Event Management, securing their spot at nationals. Tyson Hopper (12) will also be attending the conference to be recognized for completing the FBLA Capstone Project. The FBLA Capstone Project is a high-level event where students solve a real-world business problem through a detailed plan and present their solution, showing off their leadership, research, and strategy skills.
The Herrin High School (HHS) chapter of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) is led by adviser Missy Webb. FBLA hosts numerous events throughout the year, with their main focus on serving others in the community. The group prepares high school students for careers in business through academic competitions, leadership opportunities, and professional development. “FBLA is more than just competing at conferences, it also offers students an opportunity to learn important soft skills that can be used in every aspect of life. Members learn about giving back to their community, the importance of businesses in the community, as well as useful networking skills”, says adviser Mrs. Webb.
With the state conference completed, it’s time for the qualifying members of FBLA to prepare for the National Leadership Conference (NLC), where they’ll compete against the best teams in the country. This year, the NLC will be held in Anaheim, California, from June 29 to July 2. As these competitors prepare for their next challenge, the team is continuing to study, practice, and refine their events while still carrying the same focus and determination they brought to state.
As HHS FBLA members prepare to represent our school at nationals, the rest of the chapter is already looking ahead to next year’s competitions. Based on their strong performance at the State Leadership Conference, it’s proven that the future of business leaders is in good hands.
