Milbank FBLA Students Qualify for Nationals in Texas

Rylan Wendland and Tate Pew were elected to state president and state treasure respectively at the 2026 State FBLA Leadership Conference held April 13-14 at the Ramkota in Pierre. Milbank’s 45 members competed against over 400 members from across the state for a chance to attend the national  leadership conference to be held June 29- July 2 in San Antonio, Texas. All the Milbank members who placed at the state level qualified for Nationals. Raina Untalan was also honored as the February member of the month during the Awards of Excellence Ceremony. 

First-Place Winners

Esteban Abrego and Estelle Schweer placed first in Financial Planning

Dana Chan placed first in Event Planning 

Preston Laskowske and Tate Pew placed first in Digital Video Production

Anna Neugebauer and Evy Liebe placed first in Entrepreneurship

Avery Schuneman, Bree Townsend, and Rylan Wendland placed first in Local Chapter Annual Business Report 

Keira Steffen placed first in Healthcare Administration 
Rylan Wendland placed first in Organizational Leadership, second in Introduction to Parliamentary Procedure, second in Future Business Leader, and first in Job Interview.

Second-Place Winners

Andrew Karels and Pierce Mathiason placed second in Sports Entertainment and Management 
Macy Mueller and Raina Untalan placed second in Business Plan 
Tate Pew and Franco Flores placed second in Graphic Design 
Tanen Schmieg placed second in Computer Game and Simulation 

Third-Place Winners

Armando Chan placed third in Career Portfolio 
Bailey Schwagel placed third in Public Speaking 

Fourth-Place Winners

Ivy Dries placed fourth in Project Management 
Isabella Flores placed fourth in Public Administration and Management 
Cam’ron Graham and Jack ter Denge placed fourth in Business Management 
Preston Laskowske, Debrianna Hicks, and Bailey Schwagel placed fourth in Community Service Project
Jesus Padilla Ramirez placed fourth in Advanced Accounting 
Avery Schuneman and Bree Townsend placed fourth in Sports Entertainment and Management

During the talent show on Sunday, Milbank’s Willow Bender, Avery Schuneman, Violet Johnson, Bree Townsend, Adison Pauli, and Sophia Schuchard won first place with their vocal rendition of the Bruno Mars song “Just the Way You Are”. On Monday night, a dance was also held for all members at the conference. 

Kevin Robling  –South Dakota Secretary of Game, Fish, and Parks – was the keynote speaker. Alexis Schubert, teacher and FBLA adviser at MHS and teacher Kaitlin Knoll chaperoned the Milbank students.

Submitted Photos