Milbank FBLA Shines on National Stage

The MHS chapter of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) loaded 23 of its members onto a bus and headed to the national FBLA conference in San Antonio, Texas. The conference opened on June 28 with a record-breaking attendance of 16,200 middle and high school FBLA members from across the United States, Guam, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Canada. An all-time high – 113 members – represented South Dakota.

Milbank students who competed included Anna Neugebauer, Evy Liebe, Cam’ron Graham, Jack ter Denge, Andrew Karels, Pierce Mathiason, Avery Schuneman, Bree Townsend, Bailey Schwagel, Ivy Dries, Debriana Hicks, Preston Laskowske, Tate Pew, Dana Chan, Keira Steffen, Armando Chan,  Macy Mueller, Raina Untalan, Isabella Flores, Tanen Schmieg, Rylan Wendland, Estelle Schweer, and Estaban Abrego. Each student competed against 85 to 130 other students in their respective events.

When students were not competing, they had the opportunity to attend workshops, explore the over 150 businesses and colleges in the expo hall, and assist Rylan in his campaign for vice president of the Central Region. Debriana served as one of the two voting delegates from South Dakota. 

In their free time, the students were given the opportunity to explore the Riverwalk area and tour the Alamo. They also visited the Mexican Market along with the other students from South Dakota. The group browsed in the shops and enjoyed a meal at the historic Mi Terra’s  restaurant. Chaperone and FBLA adviser Alexis Schubert said, “We do not spend a lot of time with the other chapters and to witness the students interact with everyone is so amazing.”

On their last full day in San Antonio, the Milbank chapter went to Six Flags Fiesta Texas. That night, they attended the awards ceremony. During the event, Rylan was selected as the National Central Region Vice President. He had run against three students from North Dakota, Nebraska, and Iowa. Rylan also became South Dakota’s first national officer and the first vice president of the Central Region as FBLA combined two areas this year to create a new Central Region. Rylan will serve the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana. He will be on a team with members from Louisiana, Maryland, Texas, Wisconsin, New Jersey, Florida, and Washington.

Milbank also brought home gold-level recognition in the Champion Chapter program.

Submitted Photo