For the City Times
Submitted by Jen Jackson

NEKOOSA — On Feb. 3, the Nekoosa chapter of Future Business Leaders of America traveled to Athens High School to compete in the Region II Leadership Conference for the chance to advance to state.

Over 650 students, advisers, and judges were in attendance from 27 schools to see who is the best in different business related competitive events.

Following the Opening Session students were focused on competitive events or attending workshops. Students were able to listen to information about different Wisconsin postsecondary school options or prep for their events which took place throughout the morning session.

Following the completion of the competition and while scoring was being finalized, students were able to enjoy lunch and get up and moving to music and karaoke in the gym. “Region IIs Got Talent” is always a hit with students who after a morning full of bus rides, tests, and presentations, get a chance to have a little fun while waiting for results.

During the Awards Ceremony the top three finishers in each event will advance to the state level competition and Nekoosa will be well represented in LaCrosse with 15 students advancing on. With 1^st Place finishes: Jack Felter (Computer Problem Solving), Emma Henriksen (Electronic Career Portfolio), Hailey Brown (Intro to Business Communication), Anita Jaimes (Intro to Public Speaking), and Sydney Spang (Public Speaking). 2^nd Place finishes: Max Boivin, Isaiah Dillon, and Trent Waltenberg (Business Financial Plan), Quincy Decorah (Job Interview), Ashton Bredda (Networking Concepts), and Cristian Housworth (Sales Presentation). 3^rd Place winners advancing to state are: Kenzie Amundson and Eleanor Liebherr (Business Ethics), Lexi Dye (Client Service), and Becca Black (e-Business). Other top five finishers who narrowly missed the chance to advance were Orion Bredda, Brant Hall, Liana Schoen, Sierra Andrews, Macey Shutter, Anna Schaefbauer, Bruce Khang-Brostowitz, and Amanda Schaefbauer.

As a chapter Nekoosa also walked away with several honors. They were awarded the 2^nd Place Regional Community Service Project award and finished in 5^th place for Outstanding Local Chapter. Nick Eidenschink, a junior, was also elected as the new Region II Vice President, which gives him the honor of serving on the state executive board for the 2018-19 school year and Nekoosa High School will once again host the Regional Leadership Conference in February 2019.

“Congratulations to all FBLA members on an amazing 2017 regional competition!”