TMP-Marian FBLA adviser and business teacher
Kansas Expocentre in Topeka hosted the Future Business Leaders of America statewide leadership conference focused on the theme “Elevate Your Future.” Thomas More Prep-Marian competed at the conference on March 28-29. Four students placed at State and will be advancing to Nationals in Baltimore, Maryland June 28-July 1. Placing first as a group were Trae Megaffin, Elly Lang and Anna Speno in Management Information Systems. Hunter Flax placed fourth in Help Desk. Not forwarding to Nationals, but placing tenth was Trae Megaffin in Personal Finance.
“We see extremely tough competition at this conference each year. This was a great accomplishment and I am proud of these young men and ladies,” stated Sharris Coomes. Approximately 1,700 students and teachers and 112 schools attended the event.
“I was surprised about the outcome, but so glad and excited that we made it that far. It was a great way to finish our high school FBLA experience!” said Anna Speno.
Hunter Flax said, “I was quite nervous going in to both of my tests the first day, I was especially nervous going in to finals, and I was even more nervous going into the awards hoping I did good.”
Anne Wasinger added, “I’ve always been interested in medicine and FBLA gave me the opportunity to see the administration side of medicine. I took the Health Administration test. I learned a lot and overall had a great time at FBLA”.
“TMP-Marian provides a rare opportunity for one of the few northwest Kansas schools to participate in such a rewarding experience and offers our students a look into the business world. Business education teaches life-long skills and our FBLA club contributes to that. Many people are under the assumption that business education is only for students who expect to pursue a degree in business. It is my hope that every student will become a responsible adult that has a job; therefore, they will either work for a business or own a business. FBLA and business classes not only offer an education that is valuable to every student, but contributes to the success of our country. Everyone should have a general understanding of how our economy operates and the role that business plays in our country’s well-being, regardless of their career choice,” says Coomes. “It is essential for our students to be able to understand the importance of the various business aspects in both their personal and professional lives, like finance, technology, setting goals and creating fundamental skills in planning and decision-making.”