Five members of Auburn FBLA, Future Business Leaders of America, competed at the organization’s highest level June 26-July 2 at their National Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida.
It was there that the members competed in events as follows:
McKinsie Reeves and Hannah Wynn—Entrepreneurship; Kenda Frenzel and Julie Slama— Network Design; and Brent Comstock—E-Business

To qualify for the National Leadership Conference, high school students must have placed either first or second in their events at the State Leadership Conference held in April at Coco Key Resort in Omaha. Each group participated in numerous study sessions for event testing in preparation for the conference, but unfortunately, no Auburn students qualified for finals.

With more than 8,000 FBLA members competing in testing and presentation events in Orlando, local chapter representatives had many opportunities to network with students from all fifty states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
Also, chapter representatives were able to attend an array of seminars, with topics ranging from attending college to local chapter leadership.
Brent Comstock, Auburn FBLA Vice President, also had the opportunity to attend the Leadership of Excellence Program at Disney’s Epcot Park. While he was there, Brent enjoyed learning about the activities and business administration end of the Disney Park. Activities he took part in included: viewing the park before general open hours, speaking and networking with park administrative leaders, and having the opportunity to go through Epcot attractions with special privileges (not having to wait in lines). The Leadership of Excellence Program is designed to offer youth who are interested in business the opportunity to see a multi-billion dollar entertainment industry.
Comstock commented, “I enjoyed learning about the “behind the scenes” activities that allow the park to function smoothly. It was an intellectual experience networking with the executives and staff members of the park. The Disney Leadership program is one I will never forget!”
Another program offered to competitors and utilized by Auburn High’s Comstock was Microsoft Office certification. This certification required knowledge and testing of all Microsoft Office programs and was only awarded to the select few who scored the required allotment of points on the computer-based test.
FBLA was founded in 1942 by Dr. Hamden L. Forkner in Tennessee and has since grown to 232,000 members across the world.
Next year’s National Leadership Conference will be held in San Antonio, Texas from June 29-July 2.