James Crabtree, Jessica Dhority and Kimberly Smith, students at Northern Heights High School, know how to compete.
James and Jessica will compete in nationals this summer for the Future Business Leaders of America. Kimberly recently earned a silver at the state competition of the Family Career Community Leaders of America.
The two FBLAers took first at last week’s competition in the Business Financial Plan category. Jessica took second in Miss FBL, where she was required to take a test online and had an interview at the state competition, where she was asked questions about what FBLA has done for her. She also took third in Partnership in Business and James took second in database application, where he created a database for a business. Jessica also was re-elected state editor for FBLA.
On the FCCLA side, Kimberly’s silver at state was for a project studying nutrition for athletes and how it affects athletes’ performance. The project was especially interesting to Kimberly, who ran cross country and placed fourth in the State in this, her freshman, year.
Staff Facilitator Kim Dhority said Northern Heights’ FBLA team had more placements this year than any other year.
Jessica and James said they benefit personally from competitions.
“I’ve gained self-confidence,” she said.
James agreed and said he has learned real-world applications through competitions.
The pair will head to the national competition in June in Anaheim, Calif., and are raising money for their trip. Several fundraisers have been planned, including Flowers for FBLA, where corsages and boutonnieres for prom will be sold. The flowers are being made by Jamie Yingst from silk and come in a variety of colors and styles.
The flowers are being sold for any prom — not just Northern Heights. They cost $18 per set and need to be ordered two weeks before proms. Orders are being taken and can be picked up at Bluestem on April 30. To order call (620) 528-3521, 341-7632, (620) 443-5454 or (620) 699-3318.
Northern Heights also is putting on a dinner theater that will benefit both the drama department and FBLA. The dinner theater will at 6:30 p.m. May 9. The cost is $5 for students and $8 for adults in advance and $10 at the door.