FBLA Competes in Portland

by CAMILLE RILEY

Nine of our FBLA members placed at state competitions in Portland from April 6th through to the 9th. Our very own Jessica Ibarra qualified for nationals by placing 4th in intro to business procedures. Going to state for anything from choir to track has always been an exciting experience, but what is it like to go to state for FBLA? FBLA was started just last year, and yet they have already been to state two years in a row. Last year, only about 13 students went to state, however this year 20 students attended the state conference.

Not only were the members there to attend the state conference, but they also got to explore the downtown Portland area, and attended the Blazer game on Wednesday night. Various state attendees said that many of the workshops that they attended at the conference were both inspirational and provided great information. While all had fun at the workshops, they also had a great time visiting food trucks, shopping, and interacting with the locals.

Ms. Garcia, the advisor for FBLA, said “The State Business Leader Conference in Portland, OR, was incredible.  The members who attended were amazing in their representation of Mac-Hi.” She also said that she was impressed with how the students conducted themselves in respectful and responsible manners. Ms. Garcia concluded the interview with saying “ It’s a big deal to be able to participate in this event and I could not have asked for a better group of students to hang out with!”

It is safe to say that the FBLA state conference was a huge success for our school, our chapter of FBLA, and our community. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to achieve your goals, and that is exactly what the McLoughlin FBLA chapter did

Mac-Hi Rocks FBLA Regionals

by CAMILLE RILEY

    The Mac-Hi FBLA club went to La Grande to participate in the regionals competition on February 4th . 27 students of the McLoughlin high school FBLA chapter attended the event, and 14 students placed in various events at the competition. A total of 15 students will be attending the State FBLA competition in Portland from April 6th to the 9th.

Ms. Garcia, the advisor of the Mac-hi FBLA club said, “I was amazed at how well the kids did!” She is extremely proud of the students and amazed at all the hard work and effort that they had to put forth to place at the competition.

   Sandra Pereyda is a senior and is the president of the FBLA chapter at McLoughlin High School. Pereyda, who got 10th place in Impromptu Speaking said, “I didn't think that I would place because my points weren't clear, but I did place 10th, which is better than 11th place!”

Karen Steele, a junior, who was also at the competition and placed 2nd in Help Desk said, “The event was so much fun. We got to hang out at the EOU campus, and, despite it being a competition, it was very relaxed, so I wasn't very stressed. I surprised myself by placing 2nd, and I was so proud of my friends for placing as well.”

FBLA, which stands for Future Business Leaders of America, is a business-oriented, focused, driven club that welcomes all students. FBLA is a national club and has chapters everywhere, and the McLoughlin chapter is just one of many. People join FBLA for many different reasons. Some join due to the fact that it looks good on college applications, some because they would like to go into business in the future, and others to see if business is right for them before studying in college.

       There are many things that people can experience and learn from when participating in FBLA. One of the many events that we can learn from and build off of is Regionals and state. Regionals are a competition for all chapters in eastern Oregon, while state is for the whole state of oregon. At both Regionals and state FBLA, members have a chance to compete against each other in various categories, as well as meet new people and network.