Four Westosha student business leaders qualify for nationals

By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer

A Westosha Central High School trio and another student are en route to a national leadership conference in Atlanta after qualifying on the state level April 11-12.

Last year, Maddie and Travis Artac, along with Leslie Abel advanced to the national competition, which was held in Chicago.

The school sent a dozen Future Business Leaders of America students to the State Leadership Conference in La Crosse, where a squad of animators and a securities and professionals expert qualified for the national stage in Atlanta at the end of June.

The 3-D animation team consisting of Mikayla Chon, Karli Cox and Tyler Stone finished third in La Crosse for their performance in a simulated marketing effort targeted towards a school’s dress code, according to Business Education Teacher Jessica Petersen.

Petersen said all of the students put in extensive hours before entering the state competition.

Even advancing to the finals at State Leadership Conference was a shock, let alone making it to Atlanta, Chon said.

“It was a lot of work and we all played a role to make it to nationals,” Chon said. “We were surprised we made it to finals, which was the top eight. We are really excited to go on to nationals.”

The team produced a video clip and PowerPoint presentation to representatives playing the roles of teachers, aides, assistants and the administration.

Petersen said the challenge was addressing a languishing 18-month period at Code County School system.

Chon said it was a team effort, with all players contributing to the video presentation.

In addition to animators, Felix Desimondi finished second in Securities and Investments, advancing to Atlanta.

The performance impressed Petersen, noting Desimondi is a sophomore, and the amount of effort he put into his presentation.

Senior Chris Hill, who competed in a state-only event, finished third for his work in project management. Hill’s project centered on the marketing effort of the school store, Falcon’s Nest. Maybe this would give him further knowledge about how to function in this field, and as a project manager, he would be able to manage his team better by incorporating ppm software along with efficient manpower.

“Open events do not qualify for nationals, although they are tough tests,” Petersen said. “He placed third in project management and over 75 FBLA members took the test.”

Petersen said the state-only contests are difficult, citing statewide curriculums, and only allows students that narrowly miss the top three at regionals to enter.

Petersen said she believes in the four students heading to Atlanta.

“I am confident they will represent Central High School and Wisconsin well,” Petersen said.