Claysburg-Kimmel FBLA returns home with national champions

Nineteen members of Claysburg-Kimmel Future Business Leaders of America attended the FBLA National Leadership Conference held in Atlanta, Georgia, from June 26 to July 1.

Attending were seniors Taylor Conrad, Sarah Helsel, Emma Gill, and Erica Norotsky; juniors Cameron Claycomb and Kennedy Lewis; sophomores Zaiden Bush, Kadie Claycomb, Ava Dibert, Layla Diehl, Makenzie Ebersole, Kasey Mosser, and Dakotta Wilbur; freshmen McKenna Black, Levi Kennedy, and Launa Musselman; and FBLA middle level members Isabella Paris, Alexys Tomlinson, and Adalyn Weyandt in seventh grade.

The Claysburg-Kimmel Introduction to Business Presentation team consisting of members Makenzie Ebersole and Dakotta Wilbur earned top honors and are national champions in the event.

CK also had seventh place in Elevator Speech with Isabella Paris; eighth place in Local Chapter Annual Business Report with Cameron Claycomb, Taylor Conrad, and Sarah Helsel; and ninth place in Community Service Project with Emma Gill, Launa Musselman and Erica Norotsky.

CK's Introduction to Social Media Strategy team with Zaiden Bush, Layla Diehl and Kasey Mosser were national finalists and just missed the top 10.

Adviser Steve Walter said, "Our team worked very hard together this year, and I'm so proud of their efforts. Pennsylvania is so competitive so qualifying for nationals is quite an accomplishment." Members must get through regionals and place in the top four at states.

At nationals this year in Introduction to Business Presentation, there were 119 teams in the preliminary round, with eight groups and the top two advanced from each group to the finals.

He also mentioned, "It's been a very successful year for our chapter. We had a very successful chapter community service project, Serving Seniors, and donated over $10,000 in food, heating oil, gasoline and medicine to the senior citizens in our area.

"We are so thankful for the Claysburg Education Foundation, local businesses and community support this year to provide these kids with so many opportunities and memories."

CK Principal, Charles Kassick said, "Watching this group perform in their respective events showed a direct correlation to the work they put in all year. What was most satisfying was watching members support each other.

"They celebrated victories and shared disappointment in defeat. To see them support each other so much, I was blessed to see that and honored to be a very small part of the events. My hat is off to all of them as well as Mr. Walter for his constant hard work, dedication, time, and efforts."

A Pennsylvania delegation of nearly 500 traveled to the National Leadership Conference.

In addition to attending the opening ceremony, the Eastern Region Campaign Rally, and the Awards of Excellence program, CK members visited many of Atlanta's landmarks and attractions such as the Atlanta Braves, The College Football Hall of Fame, The Georgia Aquarium, and the World of Coca-Cola.