For the Rapids City Times

NEKOOSA – The Nekoosa chapter of Future Business Leaders of America recently hosted the Region II Leadership Conference at Nekoosa High School for over 650 students, advisers, and guests. Nekoosa was represented by 54 members who competed in business related events to try to earn a trip to the State Leadership Conference in Green Bay in April.

Twenty-seven northcentral Wisconsin high schools were in attendance for the event. Miss Wisconsin Tianna Vanderhei was keynote workshop presenter, speaking on her B.O.S.S.-Building our Soft Skills platform.

In each event, the top three students move on to state, to compete against six other regions for a chance to move onto nationals. Nekoosa has 35 students advancing to Green Bay. FBLA members who finished first in their events are: Sydney Spang (Future Business Leader); Hailey Brown (Business Communication); Max Boivin, Ike Dillon, and Trent Waltenberg (Business Financial Plan); Orion Bredda (Business Plan); Brett Anderson, Brant Hall, and Tanna Keenan (Digital Video Production); Mikayla Amundson and Jazmin Gonzalez (e-Business); Matthis Kuehlke, Bret McKeel, and Will Wood (Emerging Business Issues); Drew Doebereiner, Keagan Kolo, and Jace Lobner (Network Design); and Nick Eidenshink and Adrian Rodriguez (Public Service Announcement).

Second place finishers were: Carson Allison and Gavin Heuer (Banking and Financial Systems); Sierra Andrews and Holly Pearce (Broadcast Journalism); Lexi Dye (Client Service); Emma Henriksen (Electronic Career Portfolio); Becca Black (Intro to Business Communication); Anita Jaimes (Public Speaking); and Halee Evenson (Word Processing).

Third place winners were: Lianna Schoen (Business Communication); Leah Carlson, Bianca Housworth, and Elise Waltenberg (Hospitality Management); Bailey Esser (Job Interview); and Erynn Seipel and Zoe Sorenson (Publication Design).

Other top five finishers were: Ryan Dougherty, Britt Cyboran, Milo Brunette, Elizabeth Clouston, Kya Smith, Paige Somerville, John Barten, Nathan Gellerup, Danial Harnisch, and Kayla Schmidt.

As a chapter, Nekoosa also walked away with a few honors, receiving first place in Regional Community Service Project, for their work with the March of Dimes and second place for Regional Outstanding Local Chapter.

Sydney Spang also won the Regional Who’s Who award, for all her work in FBLA during her high school career.