News Summary
FBLA clubs from Champaign Central and Centennial high schools are set to participate in the National Leadership Conference in California in August 2025. Students will showcase their business skills through various competitive events while also engaging in networking opportunities. Teachers will accompany the students, some of whom have been actively preparing for their competitions with hands-on experiences and feedback sessions. Fundraising efforts are underway to support trip expenses, emphasizing the commitment to developing the next generation of business leaders.
Champaign, Illinois – The Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) clubs from Champaign Central and Centennial high schools are preparing for an exciting opportunity as they head to California for the National Leadership Conference scheduled for the end of August 2025. This prestigious event will allow students to showcase their skills in business and marketing through various competitions.
Teachers Eric Fagerlin and Farrah Tuttle from Champaign Central High School, along with Eric Springer from Centennial High School, will accompany the participating students. Not all FBLA members will compete, but those who do are expected to experience significant personal growth through their involvement in the conference.
Among the students participating, Nathalee Abad from Centennial is set to engage in a roleplay event focused on sports and entertainment management. To prepare for her roleplay scenarios, Abad has been utilizing Quizlet as a study tool. In addition to competitions, students will have the chance to attend a Los Angeles Angels baseball game during their downtime in California, providing a balance of education and leisure.
Another participant, Priyam Banerjee from Centennial, is gearing up for an entrepreneurship roleplay event. This event requires participants to deliver a quick presentation based on a prompt received just prior to the presentation. Banerjee has been preparing by reviewing feedback from her previous competitions and watching online roleplay videos to better her skills.
Students from Champaign Central are also actively involved in the conference. Matthew Philip and Sohum Gurrapu are collaborating on a group presentation about their work with a real business in India, showcasing their ability to apply classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios. Meanwhile, Safa Thameem and Kennedy Borden from Centennial have created a “Public Service Announcement” video focusing on healthy workplace habits, which earned them fourth place at the recent state competition.
Hannah Libman and Aanya Rangaiahgari from Central have been working on a social media campaign designed to promote a nonprofit organization. To refine their campaign, they have practiced with local business leaders and their advisers, allowing them to gain firsthand experience and insights.
The students are particularly enthusiastic about the networking opportunities the conference will provide. Interactions with peers from across the nation are anticipated as a chance to exchange ideas and build connections within the business community. Gurrapu expressed excitement about not only traveling outside of Illinois but also experiencing the diverse events planned for attendees.
Rangaiahgari, who has previously placed in the top ten at the national conference, looks forward to the awards show and the recognition of hard work put in by the students. The FBLA clubs have also been actively fundraising to support the travel expenses, which amount to approximately $1,500 per member. The clubs are reaching out for additional sponsorships from local businesses to ease the financial burden on students.
In preparation for the conference, teachers are also planning future events for the FBLA clubs after their return, ensuring that the momentum and learning experiences continue long after the national competition concludes.
The efforts of both high schools and their dedicated members reflect a commitment to nurturing the next generation of business leaders through hands-on experience, competition, and collaboration.
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