The Mount Pleasant High School chapter of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) competed at the State Leadership Conference in Galveston on March 24-25 and had a record 20 students qualify for Nationals with one additional student named an alternate. This year would see a return to an in-person state conference as the event was cancelled in 2020 and was held online in 2021. Thirty-eight students made the trip to Galveston while seven competed online in tested events prior to spring break. Participants attended area meetings, took part in workshops such as “Etiquette 101”, “Job Ready Dress”, and “Team Building”, and were treated to an evening on The Strand on their last night in Galveston.

Those advancing to Nationals, their events, and their places at state include:

· Agribusiness: Odalys Adame (3rd)

· Broadcast Journalism: Michelle Calderon, Taylor Hubbs and Anthony Orellana (3rd)

· Business Calculations: Perla Guzman (4th)

· Computer Applications: Clayton Brison (4th)

· Cyber Security: Heidi Ramirez (4th)

· Electronic Career Portfolio: Monserrat Rivero Sanchez (4th)

· Future Business Leader: Hope Powell (4th)

· Healthcare Administration: Natalie Crockett (2nd)

· Hospitality and Event Management: Natalia Plascencia, Joselyn Reyes and Evelyn Rodriguez (4th)

· Journalism: Joseline Almazan (1st), Idania Castanon (5th National Alternate)

· Political Science: Luiz Olvera (2nd), Connelly Cowan (3rd)

· Public Speaking: Elizabeth Lockett (4th)

· Publication Design: Ilse Ojendis, Yasenia Paloblanco and Tiffany Rangel (4th)

In addition, Mount Pleasant High School was recognized as the largest FBLA chapter in Area 6. Senior Taylor Hubbs was named Who’s Who for the Mount Pleasant High School chapter. And Chapter Advisor, John Whitten, was reelected to the FBLA State Board of Directors for Area 6.

“Our FBLA students rose to the occasion at state and had an unbelievable showing,” said Whitten. “Having 20 students qualify for Nationals is a remarkable feat considering some of the schools we are going up against are much larger than us. This was a record-setting year for MPHS FBLA, and I am looking forward to taking students to Nationals after not being able to travel for competition for the past two years.

Whitten continued, “I am proud of all the work, preparation and dedication the students have put in to succeed. Students have been working and preparing since October with weekly work nights, and they were rewarded for their hard efforts in Galveston. I am looking forward to Chicago and giving our students the experience of what it is like to compete on a national level.”

The FBLA National Leadership Conference is set for June 29-July 2, 2022 in Chicago. MPHS FBLA advisors are John Whitten, Shanta Lockett, Jackie Scoggins, and Brian Williams.

Photos:

1. MPHS FBLA National Qualifiers

Row 1 L to R: Natalie Crockett, Monserrat Rivero Sanchez, Joselyn Reyes, Evelyn Rodriguez, Natalia Plascencia, Hope Powell

Row 2 L to R: Luiz Olvera, Anthony Orellana, Taylor Hubbs, Elizabeth Lockett, Perla Guzman, Connelly Cowan, Heidi Ramirez, Clayton Brison

Not pictured: Odalys Adame, Michelle Calderon, Joseline Almazan, Idania Castanon, Ilse Ojendis, Yasenia Paloblanco, Tiffany Rangel

2. John Whitten with Taylor Hubbs, Who’s Who award recipient