NCSD Media Release
March 29, 2017 10:50 a.m.
Nassau County Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) students had an historic showing at the state competition held this past week in Orlando, Florida. Eight students placed in the top five in their respective events making this the most successful year on record for the district and only the second time in history the county has had two state champions in the same year.
First place finishers: Jonathan Maurer (FBHS) – Digital Video Production; Robert Cooke (YMS) – Public Speak- ing ML. Second place finisher: Scout Chaires (HMSHS)- Health Care Administration. Third place finisher: Lucy Ledesma (YMS) – FBLA Principles and Procedures. Fourth place finishers: Brody Mandelbaum (FBHS) – Securities and Investments; Madison Puckett (HMSHS) – Word Processing; Joshua Sheffield (FBHS) – Spreadsheet Applications; Abbigail Vienneau (YMS) – Business Math ML.
Over 4,000 Florida Students attended the event featuring 80 individual or team competitions. With an average of 50 students per contest, each of whom earned the right to represent their district at the event, Nassau’s students faced stiff competition. Placing, not to mention winning, was no easy feat. In some areas of the state, large magnet schools anchor their curriculum with business principles and focus on FBLA events to increase their chances of success. It’s a huge credit to our county to do so well, especially considering that Fernandina Beach High School’s chapter is only two years old and was competing at the state level for the first time. If that isn’t impressive enough, Yulee Middle School’s chapter is in its inaugural year. Their chapter consisted six 7th graders and one 6th grader and in Orlando they faced primarily 8th graders.
If you’re not impressed yet, simply talk to one of the champions about their experience. Maurer decided to join FBLA when he heard about the digital video competition. When asked how he did so well, he credited mentors. “I learned how to present from Mrs. Landtroop (Stephanie, FBHS Digital Design and TV Productions Instructor) and Mr. Simmons (Brian, WNHS Digital Media Instructor)” said Maurer.
Winning also takes a considerable amount of drive on the part of the student. Maurer explained that being self-critical matters, and he’s not stopping with his state trophy. “I expected around 3rd place. The more I watched my video, the more I critiqued it. But when they kept calling names and mine wasn’t called, I realized I was going to win. I do plan on attending (the national competition in Anaheim, CA). I’m very excited for it and I plan on further perfecting my video”. To students who want to emulate his success he advises, “Prepare for every situation. I got questions I wouldn’t expect from the judges.”
Left to Right: Robert Cooke (YMS) 1st Place Public Speaking – ML, Lucy Ledesma (YMS) 3rd Place FBLA Principles and Procedures-ML, Abbigail Vienneau (YMS)4th place – Business Math ML, Brody Mandelbaum (FBHS) – 4th place Securities and Investments, Jonathan Maurer (FBHS) 1st place Digital Video Production; Joshua Sheffield (FBHS) 4th place Spreadsheet Applications, Luke Libby (WNHS) District 4 FBLA President, Scout Chaires (HMSHS) 2nd place Health Care Administration, and Madison Puckett (HMSHS) – 4th place Word Processing.
For students considering FBLA, Maurer had these words: “It’s a great experience for testing yourself in busi- ness-like and stressful situations”.
Cooke also shared his experience. “It was difficult trying to come up with a speech. Even if I hadn’t won, the speech helped my writing.” Like Maurer, he will remember the drama of the awards ceremony. At the conference, students don’t learn they are finalists, let alone their place, until they are called to the stage. “I was surprised when they called 3rd place and 2nd place and it wasn’t my name. Even if I hadn’t gotten first place, I would have been happy to win 2nd or 3rd. But overall, it was a good experience. Even if you don’t win at state, it is a lot of fun to go to Orlando. You’re hanging out with your friends and learning skills that you are going to use your whole life at the same time.” After a short pause, he added, “If you really want to know what FBLA does for kids like me, listen to my speech.”
FBLA’s District 4 is comprised of school chapters in Baker, Duval, and Nassau Counties. District 4 Co-Director and WNHS Adviser Joyce Finley and District President Luke Libby (Junior, WNHS) expect this district to contin- ue to grow, primarily fueled by Nassau County. With Stephanie Landtroop (FBHS), Jennifer Reynolds (YMS), Patrick Schinella (YMS), and Nicol Stewart (YHS) joining veteran advisors like Finley, Simmons, and Michele Stamps (HMSHS), the future looks bright. FBLA’s theme this year is “Soaring to new heights”. In Nassau County, they certainly are.