Three CHS students, (from left) Myckenna Hurst, Aden Parsons and Jade Ledgerwood have qualified to compete at the national level this summer in Baltimore. GINI DAVIS – THE CRESWELL CHRONICLE
Three Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) students from Creswell High School have qualified to compete at the FBLA National Leadership Conference, to be held June 28-July 1 in Baltimore.
Myckenna Hurst, Aden Parsons and Jade Ledgerwood qualified for Nationals by placing in the top five in their events during the State Leadership Conference in Portland in April, where Hurst placed second.
Hurst and Parsons qualified for Nationals in Personal Finance, while Ledgerwood qualified in Sports Management.
At State, all three took a General Knowledge test on their subjects. ”For Myckenna and Aden, that was the only determining factor – how well they did on that test,” said FBLA Advisor Mona Stiffler.
However, because Ledgerwood’s was a team event, after placing in the top 15 on the General Knowledge test, ”she then got a role-play that deals with some sort of scenario about Sports Management and how she would handle a situation,” Stiffler said. ”And then, based on presenting that scenario to a panel of judges, they are ranked again, and her team got fifth place.”
Stiffler noted that Ledgerwood’s team members have elected not to attend Nationals, so she will compete alone there.
The trio’s path to Nationals began in February, when 25 CHS students competed at a regional event, where all 25 placed in the top 10 to advance to State.
At Nationals, Hurst, Parsons and Ledgerwood will compete with more than 5,000 students from across the United States, Canada and Germany. Stiffler said the anticipated cost per student is $1,500. Students are planning a 50/50 raffle can drive and car wash to help with those expenses.
Any cash donations are tax deductible and may be sent to: Creswell High School, attn. Mona Stiffler, FBLA advisor, 33390 Niblock Lane, Creswell, OR 97426.
”If a donor would like the money to go to a specific student, please include their name on the memo line,” Stiffler said, adding that any donation amount will be accepted and appreciated.