Two groups of Elizabethton High School students who showcased their career technical education skills at state competitions are now preparing to move to the next level – the national level.
Ten EHS Future Business Leaders of America students will travel to Nashville for the Future Business Leaders of America national competition, and another five students, members of Family Community Career Leaders of America, recently participated in their state competition and are planning for the next level of competitions.
In the FBLA, Sydney Elliott and Kelsi McKamey won first place in digital design promotion and in hardcopy scrapbook and Chelsea Williams and Chrissy Baker won first place in electronic scrapbook. Preston Davis and Josiah Thomasson won second place for digital design and promotion, Sydney Elliott won third place for annual business report and Kaelyn Bishop won fourth place for electronic career portfolio.
In the FCCLA, McKamey, Ezra Leger, Joseph Byrum and J.P. Mitra won fourth place in culinary arts and Megan Elliott-Dula won second place in sports nutrition. Jennifer Birkner also attended the FCCLA state competition.
“It took a lot of hours,” said FBLA faculty sponsor Robin McKamey. “They worked a lot on their projects over spring break.”
With state titles in hand, the students will represent their state and their schools at the FBLA National Conference starting on June 27 to July 3 in Nashville. The FCCLA national competition is set for July 6 to July 10 in San Antonio, Texas.
Robin McKamey said the FBLA students qualify for nationals almost every year, but funding the trip can be a problem for some of the students. The cost is $1,500 for students and $2,000 for the advisers to attend the national competition. The students work to get sponsors for the trip and raise funds to cover the cost.
Robin McKamey said the students sold candy, coupon books and helped out at restaurants to make up those funds. The FBLA students hosted the first-ever Elizabethton 5K Reindeer Run in December, and the FCCLA students sold food at EHS they prepared in their classes.