Peru State College FBLA Collegiate (formerly Phi Beta Lambda) members will be competing on April 2nd-3rd for a trip to Atlanta in June. The members and their adviser, Dr. Sheri Grotrian ‘02, will be participating and networking with the association’s business partners to gain 21st century skills at the Younes Center in Kearney.
Peru State representatives at the FBLA Collegiate State Leadership Conference will be Jillian Karl (Nebraska City), Ashley Glazebrook (Ogallala), Sawyer Kinnison (Nebraska City), Jeremy Matuszewski (Bellevue), Azlyn Fendrick (Lincoln), Kolby Tibbets (Wichita, Kan.), Cole Nahlik (Washington, Mo.), Noah Kreifels (Auburn), Lander Imbimbo (New Haven, United Kingdom), Seth Leddy (Omaha), Will Mueller (Springdale, Ark.) and Peyton Grubbs (Nebraska City).
This is Karl’s first time competing. She noted, “I am in my senior year studying marketing and from Nebraska City. I’m in my first year as our chapter’s local president. I look forward to the SLC and NCL so I can make new connections and learn about new perspectives. Collegiate FBLA has given me the chance to continue working on my leadership skills. I am so very thankful our chapter put their trust in me to help lead them. Dr. Grotrian has also been the best I advisor I could hope for. She is incredibly knowledgeable. We are so lucky to have her guide us!”
Karl added, “I will be competing in digital marketing (with Sawyer and Cole), state of the chapter presentation (with Sawyer), and I will be taking online tests in marketing concepts and retail management.”
Sunday’s schedule includes a career fair, a community service project, a social events, and other competitions. Monday’s schedule includes competitive event finals, networking opportunities, and an awards ceremony.
Their will be individual and team events. Some of the competitions include: business decision making, global analysis and decision making, and human resource management. Also, individuals have already competed in online, objective testing events which include: computer concepts, macroeconomics, and sports management and marketing.
Matuszewski competed in the SLC last year. He is looking forward to this year’s competition. He noted, “This year I am super excited to go after the events that cater towards my major. Last year I did a few events because they seemed fun, and I really enjoyed them and had fun. So, this year I am going after better placement in the cybersecurity test, and I am trying out a different one called computer concepts. Last year I placed fifth in cybersecurity so this year I am shooting for top three and punching my ticket to nationals in cybersecurity. I think that I can be a strong contender for the computer concepts test as well due to my knowledge and classes I took these last couple of semesters about the topic.”
The 2023 FBLA Collegiate National Leadership Conference will be held June 22-25 in Atlanta. Members who earn top honors at their state competitions will compete against the best from the rest of the country.