The Area 6 FBLA Leadership Conference on Monday, December 9 at the Region 8 Educational Service Center featured 298 competitors representing 9 schools in our area. Of the record 113 competitors representing Mount Pleasant High School, MPHS had a very successful day with 90 members qualifying for state, also a new school record. Fifty-two individuals earned 1st place in their respective events at the area conference and MPHS placed 1st in 28 of the 47 events they entered. For the first time ever, MPHS has surpassed the 100-member mark with 121 members total and is now the 9th largest chapter in the state of Texas.

Students advancing to state, their area placement, and event are as follows:

Accounting 1 – Jose Gonzalez (1st)

Advertising – Camauri Burwell (1st), Anthony Gonzalez (2nd), Alexis Mata (3rd)

Agribusiness – Xilaly Sanchez (3rd)

American Enterprise Project – Gopi Amin, Diya Desai and Cinthya Ramirez (1st)

Broadcast Journalism – Sandy Farias, Emily Garcia and Zuleyka Velez (2nd)

Business Ethics – Kate Ball, Evan Cota and Tanner Marshall (1st), Jannely Aguilar, Isaac Hernandez and Yolette Mata (2nd)

Business Management – Alessandra Cervantes and Tania Rangel (1st)

Business Plan – Edward Moya, Alex Perez and Francisco Zapata (3rd)

Coding and Programming – Isaac Flores and Juan Gallegos (1st)

Computer Game and Simulation Programming – Isabella Furnish, Aloani Laboy and Charity Prater (1st)

Cyber Security – Melanie Barraza (1st)

Data Analysis – Bruno Deleon and Angel Farias (1st)

Digital Video Production – Valeria Bello, Esmeralda Perez and Alondra Santos (1st)

Financial Math – Luke Thurman (1st), Christopher Sorto (3rd)

Graphic Design – Rachel Albin, Zoey Cato and Addison Heeren (1st)

Health Care Administration – Brissia Alvarez (1st)

Help Desk – Patricia Gonzalez (1st), Rafael Calderon (2nd)

Hospitality and Event Management – David Cumpian, Amir Martinez and Francisco Rodriguez (1st), Haley Carr, Jennifer Castro and Sofia Estrada (2nd)

Human Resource Management – Gabriel Castaneda (1st)

Impromptu Speaking – Vasti Hernandez (3rd)

Insurance and Risk Management – Kaylee Ramos (1st)

Intro to Programming – Aylin Dominguez, Kianna Mickens and Kiara Mickens (1st)

Introduction to Business Presentation – Sabrina Otero-Svirska and Roselynn Ramirez (2nd)

Introduction to Business Procedures – Trisha Easley (1st), Vanessa Aspeitia (2nd)

Introduction to Event Planning – Jayden Baker, Emily Crabb and Cooper Rider (2nd), Dalia Balderas, Lia Esguerra and Alba Zeqaj (3rd)

Introduction to Financial Math – Alexia Hawkins (2nd)

Introduction to Social Media Strategy – Blakely Garrett and Lynndsie Phan (1st)

Journalism – Natalie Hines (2nd)

Network Design – Alston Jeff (1st)

Networking Infrastructures – Katherine Adame (3rd)

Organization Leadership – Natalia Aspeitia (1st), Daniela Pina (3rd)

Personal Finance – Bryanna Nava (1st)

Public Policy and Advocacy – Amy Santillan (3rd)

Public Service Announcement – Evelyn Hernandez, Leslie Hernandez and Wendy Valdez (2nd)

Social Media Strategies – Angel Flores and Jennifer Luna (1st)

Sports and Entertainment Management – Terrelle Beard, Nitalya Trimble and Tanaai Williams (1st)

UX Design – Julian Chancellor (1st), Samuel Chappell (2nd)

Visual Design – Emely Chavelas, Dollian Phan and Diego Ugalde (1st)

Website Coding and Design – Makayla Mather and Aidan Perez (1st)

Website Design – Yahaira Pina and Michelle Sandoval (2nd)

Students also placing in their events include:

Accounting 1 – Alessandro Greco (5th)

Business Communication – Eva Salas (4th), Lizbeth Soto (6th)

Business Law – Sha’nala Hill (5th)

Cyber Security – Jessica Hang (4th), Jazlynn Juarez (5th)

Financial Math – Emily Ortiz (7th)

Health Care Administration – Eli Hernandez (4th), Jesus Moreno (6th) and Logan Curley (8th)

Introduction to Business Communication – Khloe Cooper (4th)

Introduction to Business Concepts – Erick Bernardi (5th)

Introduction to FBLA – Sebastian Contreras (6th) and Irlanda Gasca (7th)

Introduction to Financial Math – Jose Miguel Gonzalez (5th), Adriel Bagsic (6th)

Marketing – Raquel Garza, Celeste Landin and Leinad Rodriguez (4th)

Organizational Leadership – Emily Ponce (4th)

Personal Finance – Jennifer Pena (4th), Veronica Bernardino (6th)

Public Speaking – Andy Carrillo (7th)

In addition to competing, MPHS junior, Jennifer Luna, was elected the FBLA Area 6 President with junior, Wendy Valdez, named the FBLA Area 6 Parliamentarian for 2025-2026. And MPHS senior, Jazlynn Juarez, was the 2023-2024 Who’s Who Area 6 recipient.

“I am extremely proud of our students and their performances at area this year,” said head FBLA Advisor, John Whitten. “Our students had a limited time this year to get their presentations and speeches done and study for their tests this semester due to competition being held about six weeks earlier than normal. Students put a lot of hard work by staying after school every Monday for two months to prepare for competition. Students will now begin the process of trying to better their test scores along with improving their presentations and speeches for state. We have a great group of FBLA students who embody the spirit of what you would want in a future leader. I am proud to lead such a dedicated group of students who make me proud to be their advisor.”

Advancing students will compete at the FBLA State Leadership Conference at the Kalahari Resort in Round Rock on February 23-25, 2025. MPHS FBLA Advisors are John Whitten, Shanta Lockett, and Tracy Porter.

Photos:

1: MPHS FBLA competitors

2: MPHS FBLA competitors