Selinsgrove students compete in national Future Business Leaders of America event

Jul. 5—Four Selinsgrove Area High School students competed this week in the National Leadership Conference of Future Business Leaders of America, Inc. (FBLA) event in Orlando, Fla.

Students Lily Boyer, Kelsey Persons, Matthew Stebila and Elise Zimmerman were among more than 10,000 middle and high school students competing in the event held June 29 to July 2.

“This trip was so much fun. We were able to listen to speakers, trade state FBLA pins with people from all across the country and visit Universal Studios,” said Zimmerman who with Persons took a test for introduction to event planning and advanced to the finals where they placed second overall after delivering an impromptu presentation to a panel of judges. “It was truly an unforgettable experience.”

“After all the scores were tallied, Kelsey and Elise are national runners up, the highest finish on the national level by any Selinsgrove FBLA member in school history,” said teacher and local chapter advisor Daniel Frake.

Each sophomore earned a $150 cash prize for their achievement, he said.

Persons hopes to repeat the performance next year.

“I strengthened friendships within my local chapter as we cheered each other on and had fun in Universal Studios when not competing,” she said. “Walking across the stage at the closing ceremony is a moment I will never forget. I hope I can do the same at next year’s conference.”

Boyer competed in graphic design, a presentation event rebranding a local business, and Stebila competed in a spreadsheet applications event.

“Our Selinsgrove students had countless opportunities to network, learn, and lead. They experienced the national leadership conference and Orlando, Fla. in so many ways,” Frake said.