The Pledge 2017 Fall Issue

The

Pledge FALL 2017

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let's elevate fbla dj's directions

by dj hardwick, president

Hello Nebraska FBLA! Your State Officer Team is eager to share our state goals and new state programs. Building from the state theme of “Elevate Your Future”, your officer team defined goals using the acronym chosen was RISE: refresh, involve, serve and empower. Our state goals are explained below.

REFRESH

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Nebraska FBLA @nebraskafbla

• Charter/Reactivate 6 new FBLA or Middle Level chapters • Increase Nebraska FBLA membership by 300 members • Increase Nebraska Middle Level FBLA membership by 30 members

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YOUR FUTURE FBLA STATE ADVISERS Jacqui Garrison 402-471-4865 jacqui.garrison@nebraska.gov Sydney Kobza 402-471-4818 sydney.kobza@nebraska.gov

• 25% of chapters participate in Prepare Nebraska • 75% of chapters that complete the Sweepstakes award also apply for the national Outstanding Chapter award (Recognized at NLC) • 75% of chapters increase or maintain the number of ribbons earned at SLC

SERVE • 100% of chapters submit to Tally It Up to record FBLA-related service hours • Members combine to complete a total of 130 levels (3 levels possible per member) of the Community Service Awards • Chapters collaborate to donate $14,000 to the Nebraska FBLA Foundation Trust • 75% of chapters earn the March of Dimes ribbon

EMPOWER • 100% of chapters submit at least one article or news item to The Pledge • Increase completion of the Business Achievement Awards by members: ›› Future - 175 members ›› Leader - 30 members ›› Business - 70 members ›› America - 20 members • Recognize one Member of the Month for both Middle Level FBLA and FBLA (October through March)

2017-18 STATE OFFICER TEAM DJ Hardwick, President Abigail Thomas, Vice President Alek Timm, Secretary Emma Bjork, Reporter Ashley Stewart, Treasurer Allison Sheen, Parliamentarian

Quick Links to fall FEATURES DJ's Directions Ashley's Answers Member of the Month Chapters Level Up Hello from National Officers Empowering Advisers Emma's Edits

Making an Impact Around the State with Abigail Rising Stars Sheen's Scene Timm Times NLC Award Winners SOLA Recap

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What can you gain from FBLA? ashley's answers

by ashley stewart, treasurer

To help you fully grasp how FBLA can elevate you and what is expected in return, I've put together this overview of all things FBLA.

What is the time commitment for FBLA? The time a student puts into FBLA is what they make of it. FBLA is a challenge, a choice. Students can be involved as much or as little as they want. Being a local chapter officer requires more of a time commitment than being a regular member. So students need to make sure they know what is expected as a local chapter officer before applying. However, when students put time into their local FBLA chapter, it will not only benefit the chapter but it will benefit them as well! Students will gain many valuable friendships, tools, and tricks that will help in every aspect of their life.

What is FBLA? FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) is a Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) that focuses on business related studies. Being involved in FBLA helps students gain large networks and increase knowledge in various business topics.

Why should students be in FBLA? Throughout students’ time in FBLA they will gain valuable leadership skills that will help in many different areas. These areas include but are not limited to communication, problem solving, and management skills. Leadership skills will help in academics, clubs, and athletics. When using skills like this, other people will begin to notice, like coaches or club advisors.

What is the dress code?

While at conference, everybody needs to be dressed in business professional attire. According to the national FBLA website, business professional attire consists of: Males • Business suit with collar dress shirt, and necktie or • Sport coat, dress slacks, collar shirt, and necktie or • Dress slacks, collar shirt, and necktie • Banded collar shirt may be worn only if sport coat or business suit is worn • Dress shoes and socks

FBLA careers don’t have to stop after high school either. Students can join a PBL chapter in college. If the college does not have a PBL chapter, anybody that wants to can charter one!

FBLA will also improve career readiness skills. This fantastic organization equips its members with knowledge and experience, empowering them to confidently pursue their future goals. Members have the opportunity to learn many important skills including good interviewing techniques and effective communication strategies that will prove to be invaluable in their search for employment. Additionally, the networks gained through FBLA will benefit members for years after high school. For example, when students connect with new people at FBLA conferences, these individuals could help the students find an internship or a job in the future.

Females • Business suit with blouse or • Business pantsuit with blouse or • Skirt or dress slacks with blouse or sweater or • Business dress • Capris or gauchos with coordinating jacket/suit, worn below the knee • Dress shoes

more on dress codes

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Click Here

NEW! nominate your Member of the Month Is there a member in your local chapter who always goes above and beyond?

A leader who truly embodies the spirit of the Future Business Leaders of America? If so, encourage them to fill out an application for Member of the Month!

The Member of the Month is a new honor that will be awarded to the applicant with the best work ethic, greatest involvement, and the most dedication to FBLA. FBLA members as well as FBLA Middle-Level members are eligible!

Those who are included in the Rising Stars selection are also eligible for this award. And don’t worry, if the applicant doesn’t get chosen one month, they can always reapply!

The Members of the Month will be featured in the Pledge edition that follows their awarded months. This honor will be awarded from October through March.

member of the month nominations

click here

Chapters Level Up ARLINGTON Arlington FBLA will continue to hold its annual Pizza Party Kickoff for all students to learn more about the empowering effect our organization has on members and to connect with the officer team.

BLAIR Blair hosts an Activity Fair where we encourage students to join FBLA. We also have a picnic the first Monday after school starts to inform potential members about what the chapter will be doing throughout the year.

RAYMOND CENTRAL To encourage them to join, all students who have indicated an interest in FBLA are welcomed the first day of school with a locker sign which contains a piece of candy. Our recruiting practices have allowed us to increase our membership each year.

SANDHILLS Locker tags are placed on all members and prospective members lockers inviting them to the annual kick off pizza supper. We also make sundaes for dessert.

SYRACUSE To recruit new members, the Syracuse officers have a booth at the high school open house and encourage students to join. A membership recruitment event is held within the first week of classes serving watermelon, playing water balloon games, and sharing highlights about FBLA. Members who join within the first two weeks are entered into a drawing for a free membership.

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YOUR FUTURE

MAKE PLANS TO ATTEND FLC MONDAY SEPT. 25, 2017

Cornhusker Hotel, Lincoln

TUESDAY SEPT. 26, 2017 Ramada Inn, Kearney

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hello! from your national officers Your 2017-2018 FBLA national officers are excited to welcome Nebraska FBLA to a new membership year! After working on our ambitious Program of Work, and advocating for Career and Technical Education on Capitol Hill on behalf of our members, we are excited to help Nebraska “Elevate Your Future!” There will be exciting and new opportunities for Nebraska to expand membership, participate in service activities, and offer more opportunities to current members.

in national programs, offering more incentives for participation in national programs, and increasing accessibility and resources to help you become more involved with our national partners: Lead to Feed and the March of Dimes!

Ryan James Solis, from Texas, will serve as your Mountain Plains Region Vice-President for this year.

He is excited to work closely with your state chapter in implementing our national Program of Work, as well as Nebraska’s Program of Work.

Nebraska has established itself as a premier chapter in the Mountain Plains Region, and you can look forward to growing that image with more resources from the national center as well as more accessibility from your national officers. You can schedule a Google Hangout with any of the officers by visiting the “FBLA National Officers” tab on the FBLA-PBL website.

Some examples of the ways we will help you “Elevate Your Future” are by increasing involvement across our four divisions that make us the lifetime business organization, establishing more resources for your local chapters that will help you increase participation

We look forward to serving Nebraska FBLA and are excited to help in any way that we can and to assist with your Program of Work!

empowering advisers SHAWN MULLIGAN Adams Central

SHAWNA KROGER Arlington

Mr. Mulligan has been a huge part of every member in our chapter's life, as he wants everyone to reach their true potential in our organization. Whether it's in a competition or an activity, he will make sure that you have the support you need.

Mrs. Koger continues to dedicate her time, resources, and expertise to Arlington FBLA as she grants valuable opportunities to the chapter's members.

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national awards emma's edits

by emma bjork, reporter

National chapter awards are opportunities for chapters to be recognized at the national level for all of the hard work they do during the school year. Every activity a chapter completes will earn them a ribbon for their nametags at the national conference.

There are five chapter awards to be achieved.

• Chapter Challenge consists of three smaller programs that work towards the common goal of membership involvement at the state and national levels. These programs are: ›› Super Sweeps ›› Non-Stop November ›› Action Awareness • Big Ten recognizes the top ten chapters with the most members.

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• 100 Percent Class Participation encourages a single class to recruit every student as a chapter member.

• Membership Achievement Award is awarded to local chapters that increase chapter membership from the previous year.

YOUR FUTURE

• Outstanding Chapter which ties closely with Nebraska’s own outstanding chapter project.

Individual Awards A way to be individually recognized at the national level is the Community Service Awards (CSAs). These awards are a great way to be rewarded for all of a member’s community service hours, not just the ones through FBLA. There are three levels: Community, Service, and Achievement. Community is achieved with 50 hours of volunteer work, Service with 200 hours, and Achievement with 500 hours and they are cumulative.

The CSAs are easy to get started. Here's how: • Ask your adviser to set up an account for you on the national website.

• Your adviser will receive a username and password for the member to share with you.

• Login anytime and anywhere to update your personal community service hours.

To receive a pin for every completed level, the award must be submitted by March 1.

submit chapter news for the pledge

click here

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CLICK HERE TO LEARN ABOUT NEW AND UPDATED PROGRAMS

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making an impact ADAMS CENTRAL

ARLINGTON

In the past two years, Adams Central FBLA has made an effort to become even more involved in our community.

A prime example of this is Project Homeless Connect.

Arlington FBLA, in conjunction with Two Rivers Bank, completed the inaugural year of the Elementary Bank in School project. Students in grades K-6 are able to bring in money they’d like to save each Friday morning to school. That money is then deposited in an account at Two Rivers Bank. Once students graduate from sixth grade, they receive a check worth all the money they saved throughout their entire elementary years. Instead of interest, students earn prizes when they reach a certain milestone of money saved. The project proved to be a success and will continue to impact students of all grade levels.

Project Homeless Connect is an event where people who live in struggling households or are homeless can come and be aided by organizations in the community. Those that come into the church for help are supplied with resources such as dental checkups, hearing and eye exams, financial aid applications, clothing giveaways, and much more. It was inspiring for our chapter to see all of these businesses and organizations giving back to the community.

Richelle Johannes, Two Rivers Bank Vice President of Branch Operations said, “The earlier we can start with our young people the better. This type of savings program instills the core thinking and goal-setting, getting kids in the habit of saving at a young age so it just becomes second nature for them.”

Over 150 students began setting their foundation of saving during the school year, depositing over $10,000.

Beyond elementary students, FBLA members work as the tellers for the branch. Arlington FBLA looks to continue to positively impact all students by granting opportunities for students to make smart financial decisions all while giving members work experience and creating a partnership with a community business.

Our chapter found Project Homeless Connect to be a perfect way to start this year’s chapter involvement.

It puts students into situations they will have to be comfortable in if they want to be successful in any field of work, especially any leadership role. The most common job that members take on is the navigation role. Any people that need help getting around the church can request a navigator who will show them to each station which could benefit them. This teaches members the importance of a leader and being able to speak individually to someone you may not know personally.

Project Homeless Connect is beneficial to not only our community, but also the students that volunteer. We hope members continue volunteering and promoting good participation among the rest of the chapter.

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BELLEVUE EAST

This event provides a good opportunity for new members to get acquainted with the officers and get involved in a fun social activity. It allows members to bond while painting our design.

This past year, Bellevue East FBLA decided that the best way we could teach students about the American Enterprise System was to become a part of it.

This kickstarted our journey to creating our very own coffee shop, Beast Brew. In November 2016, a $1,200 construction project began to put our storefront in Bellevue East’s library while product and market research was conducted by surveying hundreds of students and staff members.

After completing their applications and job interviews, 20 students were hired to work the coffee shop, with two to three students working each class period and obtaining a newly created Business Management Internship credit for their efforts.

When it was finally time for our Grand Opening, Don Eckles, CEO of Scooter’s Coffeehouse, spoke to the chapter at our ribbon cutting ceremony on January 11th. Since then, Beast Brew has not only become financially successful with a net profit of $4,000 to date, but our chapter also found success at the National Leadership Conference this summer in Anaheim, earning second place in American Enterprise Project.

SANDHILLS The Sandhills FBLA assisted the Halsey Purdum Service Club 4th of July Celebration on July 1, 2017. This is a yearly event that is enjoyed by many. Halsey Days is an event celebrating the 4th of July with many fun activities such as a duck race, a turtle race, slip n’ slide, face painting, water balloon fights, limbo, putt putt golf, cake walks and much more.

We are proud that our coffee shop has taken on a life of its own, continuing to operate to this day and certainly for years to come, allowing our 2016-2017 FBLA members to leave their legacy of leadership and hopefully to elevate the future of members to come.

FBLA members chased the ducks down the river and they also caught them at the finish line to declare who had won!

At the end of the day, there was a family cookout that served beef and buffalo sandwiches, beans and chips.

Everyone stayed for the finale which was... Fireworks!

RAYMOND CENTRAL One of our successful summer activities is decorating a float for the Saunders County Parade. Members meet in Wahoo to decorate the float and ride in the parade.

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stay social and professional around the state with abigail by abigail thomas, vice president

Social media seems to be the modern way of communicating and interacting with others. However, utilizing social media in a professional capacity can present a challenge. In order to help all FBLA members run professional and classy social media accounts, here are a few simple tips: Keep Your Private Life Your Private Life

well. The same goes for sharing posts on facebook. No matter how short the message, it will leave a positive impact on the person who published it. This applies more to smaller, more personal accounts. Also, if people comment on your posts, like them! Responding with a simple “thank you” or answering a question can go a long way.

There’s nothing wrong with posting a few photos with friends or reminiscing about the last family vacation!

But in order to appear more professional, try to avoid posting anything related to the latest drama at school or indirectly (or directly) attacking someone through social media applications.

These three steps are twice as important when running a chapter’s social media accounts!

However, social media isn’t the only thing that interacts regarding FBLA. Ribbon projects do too! Start early and use these tips to garner more followers for the Step Up 2 Tech ribbon.

Use Proper Language and Grammar

Or, get a head start on the brand new Prepare Nebraska ribbon. The more a chapter does and the more its ribbon projects interact, the more likely it is that the chapter will be able to complete the Sweepstakes ribbon. Now, the next time you’re tweeting away or deliberating on what picture to post, think back to these tips on social media interaction. The tiniest corrections and considerations can elevate anyone’s status as a classy social media professional. So, get to it, and don’t forget to keep ribbon projects in mind!

Many people enjoy a good laugh when others make mistakes like confusing “your” and “you’re”. However, nobody wants to be the one making that mistake.

Always be careful to use the correct form of a word and to spell everything correctly. Also, refrain from using abbreviations if possible. Most importantly, make sure to proofread every post before it is published!

Respond Respectfully Instead of simply retweeting something, perhaps consider writing a nice comment about the post as

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rising stars MORGAN BAKER Adams Central Morgan is a Sophomore who has already made an impact on Adams Central FBLA through fundraisers, various activities, and an overall positive attitude; it's clear that she has a true passion to steer our chapter in an even better direction.

SAVANNAH BRICH Lawrence/Nelson Savannah was the lone student to attend NLC this year. She began working on her BAA's in the 8th grade and continued her hard work through this past spring. Savannah and her family moved to Illinois, and the staff and students miss her dearly.

COOPER BATES Wilber-Clatonia

JADYN CATTAU Aurora

Cooper is an officer who has transformed into a phenomenal leader for our chapter; he involved himself in every single activity our chapter does, while still being a 3-sport athlete and involved in other organizations.

Jadyn will lead our chapter this year as our president. She has been an officer for four years and organized and supervised many projects!

SEBASTIAN BOELHOWER Adams Central Sebastian placed first in Introduction to Parliamentary Procedure at SLC and was named Sophomore Member of the year. He has great passion for Adams Central FBLA and is a model of what all FBLA members should strive to be.

REBECCA EARNEST Dundy County Stratton Rebecca makes FBLA a priority by being involved in the community service project, American enterprise project, and partnership with business. She was top salesperson in the chapter’s fundraiser, has completed three levels of the BAA’s, and is serving as the chapter’s vice president this year.

CICELY PICKEL Raymond Central

KIRK RANGEL Arlington

Cicely has served as an officer for three years and is one of our most active members.

Kirk has risen to new heights as a member by discovering a drive for action in his local chapter.

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KATRINA HANSEN ElmwoodMurdock Katrina currently serves as our chapter president and was named the Overall Outstanding Member alternate this May as a junior for her commitment to rise above in our chapter. She is a three year qualifier for NLC and a top 15 qualifier in the Community Service Project at Anaheim NLC. AMANDA PAYNE Sandhills Amanda was instrumental in the completion of our Diamond Chapter Award.

We received this recognition at NLC this past summer.

REAGAN PETERSEN Syracuse Reagan served as co-chair of the Partnership with Business project and helped coordinate membership involvement with activities at the Good Samaritan Center. She is a three-time NLC qualifier and will serve as the chapter’s vice president.

JACOB SORENSEN Blair Jacob will be our chapter's 1st Vice President and placed 6th at NLC in LifeSmarts.

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year round green sheen's scene

by allison sheen, parliamentarian

For years now everyone has been told to “Go Green.”

Energy is being wasted and the environment is becoming a dumping ground for our excess trash. Many chapters and individuals have made great strides in going green.

Turn Off An article by The Simple Dollar clearly illustrates how much can be saved by turning off lights every day and on trips. This “Go Green” tip is repeated frequently and for good reason. Make it a habit this winter.

While these projects are very valuable and helpful, it is often little things done by a lot of people that go the longest way. So this fall and winter, when much less focus is on going green, make the mission to become greener a priority.

Shorten While long, warm showers are a great luxury and are loved by many, they are incredibly wasteful. A ten minute shower can use over 40 gallons of water, depending on your shower head. Making a shower playlist is a great way to keep time in check, and a few lucky people might even win some money in doing so.

Everybody has heard to save electricity, use less water, and recycle all their lives. Now it is time to actually do it.

The following are suggestions to help get started.

Unplug

Research

Shutting off devices might be the easiest thing to do on this list. Chargers and most plug-in items often take up energy even when they are not in use. Unplugging small devices every day, as well as larger ones, such as tvs and clocks, while on long trips could prove to be a very smart decision for your wallet in the long run.

Get to know the local recycling center. These centers will eagerly help anyone start recycling. Some will even give tours of their facility to help the community understand the recycling process better. Remember a chapter’s tour of a recycling center would count for the Go Green ribbon project!

don't miss nflc in st. louis The National Fall Leadership Conference is a weekend full of energy and all things FBLA. Students and advisers participate in motivational general sessions, professional development, and career planning workshops. For many FBLA-PBL members, the NFLCs are a convenient and affordable way to experience much of the education and excitement of a National Leadership Conference, but closer to home. The three locations selected for 2017 are Buffalo, NY; St. Louis, MO; and New Orleans, LA. The Nebraska state chapter will travel to St. Louis to take part in the NFLC on November 10-11.

Attendance at the NFLC is highly beneficial to students who strive to become future business leaders. The weekend is jam-packed with incredible opportunities to network and gather ideas to implement at your local chapters.

Complete travel schedules as well as specific conference information such as session speakers, tour locations, and registration information will be available on the Nebraska FBLA website as more details are released.

In the meantime, here's an NFLC preview... see you in St. Louis!

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prepare nebraska timm times

by alek timm, secretary

As Nebraska FBLA rises to another exciting year, all chapters are encouraged to include the completion of a new ribbon project, Prepare Nebraska, in their 2017-2018 program of work. FBLA and several other CTSOs within Nebraska have teamed up to introduce the new project focusing on college and career readiness.

To earn recognition at the State Leadership Conference, chapters simply have to complete three tasks that help students at the elementary, middle, and high school levels prepare for college or a career. Then chapters must produce a one-minute video showcasing the three projects you complete. The ribbon form includes example projects as well as a rubric on how the video will be judged.

Here are a few tips on completing the projects and producing your video.

Completing Projects

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The biggest recommendation is when deciding which project to complete, follow the namesake, prepare! Many of the ideas listed on the form require a great deal of planning ahead, so chapters should consider which projects they want to implement and how to complete them at officer or chapter meetings early in the year. The task of completing three projects across three education levels may seem daunting, but with careful preparation and rigorous follow through, any FBLA chapter can grow its already influential role in both the school and the community.

Completing the Video Producing a video showcasing projects is a new concept for a ribbon project. The rubric used for judging is structured similarly to the Digital Video Production rubric. Except, Prepare Nebraska is only a one-minute video. A couple things that will really stand out as the videos are judged would be both the proper design elements and the people showcased. Remember to always have someone ready with a camera to capture events as your project unfolds in your school or community. Try to gather as much footage as possible to make creating a one-minute video much easier. Also, use that footage to submit chapter news and success stories to make the Pledge even more interactive!

The state officers look forward to watching every chapter’s videos and learning more about the projects implemented. Let’s continue to build future business leaders and help students of all ages prepare for the next step in life!

download the prepare nebraska form

click here

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YOUR FUTURE

JOIN FBLA TODAY! PAY YOUR MEMBERSHIP DUES HERE

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2017 nlc award winners

The 2017 National Leadership Conference was held in the sunny state of California back in June. The conference hosted over 13,000 students from around the world. The Nebraska delegation had 304 members competing in 70 different events. Amid intense competition, 24 Nebraska delegates rose to the top, earning 24 top ten awards, including one national champion! We congratulate all participants and award winners.

Top 10 award winners FIRST PLACE

Cole Tessendorf Lakeview | Sales Presentation

SECOND PLACE

Quianna Logans, Colton Patrick and Lindsay VanRyckeghem Bellevue East | American Enterprise Project Terese Navarra Bellevue West | Job Interview Corbin Johnson and Keegan Shuck Chadron | Banking and Financial Systems Matteo Antunez Syracuse | Microsoft Office Specialist - Excel

THIRD PLACE

Alek Timm and Rachel Kraemer Arlington | Partnership w/ Business Project

Garrett Richters and Preston Stuhr Centennial | Virtual Business Management Challenge

Aaron Buller, Ethan Hall and Leslie Braun Heartland | Entrepreneurship

FOURTH PLACE

Brad Ernesti, Logan Sampson and Reece Krueger Arlington | Management Decision Making

EIGHTH PLACE

Aubree Noble, Brooklyn Stack and Hunter Hawk Chadron | Graphic Design

FIFTH PLACE

Josiah Clements Elmwood-Murdock | Accounting I

Jack Hansen-Reed and Joseph Walther Bellevue East | Sports and Entertainment Management Andy Zhu, Jesse Lin and Shruti Mishra Lincoln East | Global Business

SIXTH PLACE

Jacob Sorensen and Thomas Simonson Blair | LifeSmarts

Audrey Lausterer Bellevue West | Job Interview

Hunter Guru and Luke Bigelow Lincoln East | Global Business

Blair Stuthman and Jennifer Jimenez Lakeview | Publication Design

Ethan Wagner Grand Island Career Pathway Institute | Help Desk

Akshay Sharma Lincoln East | Securities and Investments

OTHER NATIONAL AWARDS: FIRST PLACE

Claire Thomas and Halie Lewin Ashland-Greenwood | Business Ethics

Wausa Market Share Award (Nationally and Mountain Plains Region)

TENTH PLACE

SECOND PLACE:

Braden Hadwiger, Pleasanton | Agribusiness

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Alyssa Noble Chadron | Electronic Career Portfolio

Jessie Freeland Dundy County Stratton | Public Speaking I

Brian Lacy, Jenna Swaney and Jeremiah Mejia Bellevue West | Community Service Project

SEVENTH PLACE

Ashley Stewart, Grayson Wegener and Julia Niven Lincoln Southwest | Hospitality Management

Katrina Hansen and Payton Frahm Elmwood-Murdock | Community Service Project

Blake Beran Grand Island Career Pathways Institute | Help Desk

NINTH PLACE

Emily Standage, Jonna Bart and Megan DeVries Aurora | Business Ethics

TOP 15 FINALISTS

Largest State Chapter – Mountain Plains Region Market Share – Dorchester – Mountain Plains Region

NATIONAL BUSINESS ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS – AMERICA LEVEL

(TOP AWARD IN A FOUR-LEVEL PROGRAM) Hundter Biede Adams Central Sierra Richey Adams Central Emily Vonderfecht Adams Central Brad Ernesti Arlington Elizabeth Lowe Conestoga Junior Senior

NATIONAL COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDS – ACHIEVEMENT LEVEL Kati Jurrens Adams Central Kailee Pohlson Adams Central Brad Ernesti Arlington Terese Navarra Bellevue West Emily Flint Broken Bow Public Schools

NATIONAL RECOGNITION EVENT WINNERS Hundter Biede Adams Central High School | Who’s Who in FBLA Tennille Allison Kearney High School | Nebraska Outstanding Local Chapter Adviser

GOLD SEAL CHAPTER AWARD OF MERIT Arlington Ashland-Greenwood

Layla Parmer Conestoga Junior Senior

Michelle Kotas Dorchester Public School

Jacee Weber Dorchester Public School

D. J. Hardwick Dundy County Stratton

Stephanie Babella Fillmore Central

Payton Zarkowski Dundy County Stratton

Blair

Halla Paschold Lakeview

Ashley Stewart Lincoln Southwest

Chadron

Savannah Brich Lawrence-Nelson

Brennan Cole McCool Junction

Molly Dane Sandy Creek Public

Hali Giesbrecht McCool Junction

Elmwood-Murdock

Lauren Shackelford Sandy Creek Public

Kyra Kennedy Sandhills

Fillmore Central

Shyla Oberhauser Twin River

Bailey Coons Sargent

Maddy Rinkol Twin River

Shelby Schneider Sargent

Calista Shanle Twin River

Abbey Borgman Silver Lake

Litchfield

Madison Ternus Twin River

Megan Borg Wakefield

Sargent

Elizabeth Kubicek Wilber-Clatonia

Shani Ramirez Wakefield Joseph Hiatt West Boyd

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Bellevue West

Centura

YOUR FUTURE

Crete Dundy County Stratton

Fairbury

Johnson-Brock Kearney Lakeview

Raymond Central

Syracuse Tri County Twin River Weeping Water Wilber-Clatonia

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WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT NATIONAL AWARDS? CLICK HERE

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sola Recap What do trash, meatballs, and the Titanic all have in common with Elevating the Future of Nebraska FBLA? They all were part of your 2017-2018 FBLA State Officer Leadership Academy (SOLA) this year in Omaha. State Officers from FBLA, SkillsUSA, and Educators Rising came to SOLA to learn valuable skills from a former FBLA National Officer, Patty Hendrickson. Hendrickson shared her experiences as a speaker, entrepreneur, and leader with a lot of energy! She taught all officer teams how to be effective leaders in their CTSOs, shared her favorite icebreakers, leadership “hacks”, and many other skills that will continue to aid the officers as the year progresses.

When the officers were not learning from Patty, they were busy working on Nebraska FBLA’s program of work, providing community service in Omaha, and bonding as a team. All the CTSO State Officers participated in a trash pickup at Elmwood Park while also competing in a GooseChase hunt - which the FBLA officers won. In addition, the FBLA officers used communication, reasoning, and teamwork to escape a Titanic themed escape room. Finally, the officers from all three CTSOs enjoyed the Dress for Success dinner together at the restaurant “Meatball” where they serve, surprise, only meatballs.

During the day they brainstormed logos, came up with goals, and refurbished many state projects, laying the foundation for a great year in Nebraska FBLA. Once again, SOLA has been a success, providing the officer team with many great lessons and memories that will stay with them forever.

The Pledge is published three times a year by the Nebraska Future Business Leaders of America. (August, December, March) Submit your articles at nebraskafbla.org > News > Submit Chapter News EMMA BJORK Nebraska FBLA Reporter reporter@nebraskafbla.org

JACQUI GARRISON Nebraska FBLA Adviser jacqui.garrison@nebraska.gov

SYDNEY KOBZA Nebraska FBLA Adviser sydney.kobza@nebraska.gov

It is the policy of Nebraska FBLA not to discriminate on the basis of gender, handicap, race, color, religion, marital status, age or national or ethnic origin in its education programs, membership policies, or other administered programs.

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