The Business of Victory
Lindbergh’s secret to success at FBLA and DECA competitions BRETT BEHRENS
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ECA and FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) are clubs offered at Lindbergh that provide students the opportunity to practice their business skills and compete in competitions. The clubs are available to any student enrolled in a business education course. This past month, both clubs went to competitions at Saint Louis University on back-toback days for competitions that each lasted longer than the entirety of a school day. At the competition, students can compete either individually or in teams of two. They choose the category that they would like to participate in, and they are given a business scenario and must present their solutions to a judge who scores them. Lindbergh took 41 students to the district DECA competition, and 36 of those students won a trophy or medallion. FBLA took 21 students to the district competition, with over half winning medallions. This is indicative of great success at both FBLA and DECA competitions. Students believe that this success is largely a result of classwork and teachers, as opposed to independent preparation. Aaron Schaff (12), an IB Business Management student, believes that Lindbergh’s success at these competitions is due to its business and finance classes. “It’s actually nothing to do with any preparation that we do. It’s all about the class itself, that’s what prepared us,” Schaff said. These classes led to Schaff winning first place in his DECA finance competition, while also getting second and fifth place in banking systems and insurance at FBLA. His first place victory at DECA demonstrates that even first-time competitors can have great success.
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News
3.23.20
Staff Writer
In addition, DECA officer Sarah Bavlsik (12) credits Lindbergh’s teachers for the club’s success. “Stortzum and Pincus are really good teachers, and they really make sure the students get [the topics] down
“Stortzum and Pincus are really good teachers, and they really make sure the students get [the topics] down and encourage them,” ~ Sarah Bavlsik, 12 ~
and encourage them,” Bavlsik said. Members of DECA and FBLA are not forced to compete either, so those who do compete generally put a fair amount of care and effort into their performance. The success of students in these competitions is not quickly forgotten either. Students perceive these clubs as of professional conduct, such as attire and manners, that contributes to their overall score.
a way to help them prepare for their future careers, especially if those careers are business-related. However, every student can benefit from the practice of professional conduct, such as attire and manners, that contributes to their overall score. FBLA and DECA medal winner Kyle Karnuth (12) believes that participating in these clubs will help prepare him for his future career. “[It will help] especially with knowledge in economics, and just learning to present information to people. You kind of have to put a presentation together very quickly, and I think that’s an effective skill, to be able to present an idea,” Karnuth said. Thus, even though the clubs are fun and relaxed, they can help teach students important real world skills that they will be able to apply in the future. Looking forward, the students who qualified for state at their competitions will be hoping to advance to DECA internationals in Nashville, Tennessee, and to FBLA nationals in Salt Lake City, Utah. It appears as though Lindbergh has a good chance of being well-represented at these competitions.
Lindbergh’s DECA medallion and trophy winners show off their awards after the district competition at St. Louis University on February 11, 2020. Photo Credit: Mrs. Pincus
