|
State Leadership
Conference. The competition, hands-on experience,
and educational opportunities offered at all state and
national conferences are essential to building strong
successful leaders. The Rossville High School Future
Business Leaders of America Chapter traveled to Topeka,
Kansas on April 1st and 2nd to attend the 2004 FBLA
State Leadership Conference. This year the theme of the
conference was Lead, Achieve, Succeed. Rossville's 41
participants competed against 72 other chapters while
carrying the chapter to third place in the Most
Outstanding Chapter category. Thirteen members placed at
the 2004 State Leadership Conference and eight Rossville
FBLA members qualified to attend the 2004 National
Leadership Conference in Denver, Colorado. The Rossville
chapter had two members who ran for a state office
position, Brett Eakin was elected State President and
Matt Ebert was elected State Editor.
National Leadership Conference.
The 2004 National Leadership Conference was in Denver,
Colorado. Eight Rossville chapter members attended the
National Leadership Conference on July 9-17, 2004. The RHS participants traveled on a charter bus with two
other Kansas FBLA schools. The conference was held at
the Denver Convention Center. Rossville delegates and
their adviser attended general sessions, regional
meetings, workshops, event performances, a state
meeting, and the March of Dimes Walk America Rally.
There were also numerous fund raiser exhibits and
campaign booths to visit. The opening session featured a
keynote speaker, Eric Chester, who inspires teen
audiences with presentations that are challenging and
encouraging. At the awards program the Emerging Business
Issues Team of Nathan Miller and Tom Gorman, were
presented a fifth place trophy. A dance with proceeds
donated to the March of Dimes
 followed the formal awards
program. The National Leadership Conference was not only
a great opportunity for the participants to challenge
themselves but to do things they never experienced. The
members had fun through sightseeing, going to a Colorado
Rockies baseball game, touring, shopping, and eating
out.
Summer Leadership Seminar. This
year the Summer Leadership Seminar was held in
Manhattan. Officers Hailey Hoobler, Meg Guindon, Matt
Ebert, Krystle Thompson, Sheldon Newsham, Ashley
Shepard, Hannah Sharp, Rachelle Brown, Gina Newsham,
Brett Eakin, and Chapter Adviser Ernestine Gordon
represented the Rossville FBLA chapter at the seminar.
The summer leadership seminar for the Rossville High
School chapter was a new experience compared to the past
years. It was unique, because two of the Rossville High
local members Brett Eakin and Matt Ebert held office of
State President and State Editor. After the workshop
activities, a fun time was planned with a talent show
for all State Leadership Seminar participants.
National Fall Leadership
Conference. Brett Eakin, Matt Ebert, Andrew Howard,
and Sheldon Newsham, officers of the Rossville FBLA
Chapter, and their adviser, Mrs. Gordon, traveled to
Omaha, Nebraska on November 5, 2004 to attend the
National Fall Leadership Conference. NFLC is a two-day
conference that focuses on leadership development,
preparation for competitive events, net working with
members from other states, and sharing ideas for
fundraising, community service, and chapter activities.
The Rossville officers joined with Hartford, Olpe, and
Burlington for the three hours ride by a chartered bus.
Brett Eakin, State President and Matt Ebert, State
Editor were presenters of one of the workshops offered.
The other local officers attending went to many other
workshops and listened to keynote speakers.
District III Conference.
The 2005 District III Conference was held
 at Jackson
Heights High School on January 26, 2005. There was an
opening session in which State President, Brett Eakin,
presented a welcome speech. The candidate for the
2005-2006 District III Vice President was introduced.
Following opening session, this busy day was filled
with, tests, interviews, speeches, and presentations.
When the day was completed and the Rossville chapter
departed to school to have a chapter meeting. The
Rossville High School Chapter received first place,
which is currently the 15th plaque from the District
Conference for the Rossville High School Chapter to win.
41 Rossville local chapter members qualified for the
State Leadership Conference held on March 31 and April
1, 2005, by placing in the top ten of each event. |
