“It is an honor and a privilege to support my students that qualify for nationals.” Vickie Kennedy has spent decades teaching students business skills. She retires this year and is going out with a bang, “Because the competition is  so tough with talented competitors, I am so proud of their accomplishments.  FBLA has provided me with some of my favorite memories in my teaching career.”

Nearly 2,800 FBLA students and advisers representing 161 school districts across Colorado attended the 2016 FBLA State Leadership Conference April 14-16  in snowy Vail, Colorado.  The conference is held each year and is the climax of the year’s leadership activities, participating in business-related and leadership development workshops, guest motivational speakers, and competing in 65 different business, technology, career, and performance events. Kennedy says this competition is a chance for the students to shine, “Attending Nationals is a week full of excitement! Qualifying FBLA members have the competitive edge, as the best and brightest of FBLA convene to compete in leadership events, share their successes, and learn new ideas about shaping their career future through workshops, competitions, and exhibits.”

Eleven Englewood students represented their chapter in a variety of competitive events.

Each student that attended state had to qualify on the district level of competition with 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A and 5A high schools.  The top 3 winners at the district competitions in each event are allowed to compete at the state level.    The first, second and third place winners at the state competition qualify to compete at the National level in Atlanta, Georgia.

This four-day conference is considered the pinnacle of the FBLA experience, FBLA has forged partnerships with industry leaders to receive scholarships for students achieving the national ranking.