FBLA Clubs from Champaign Prepare for National Conference

News Summary

Students from Champaign Central and Centennial high schools are preparing for the National Leadership Conference in California, set for August 2025. The Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) clubs are eagerly gearing up for competition in various business-related events. Participants, aided by their teachers, will engage in roleplay and group projects, focusing on personal growth and professional development. To support their journey, the students are actively fundraising for travel costs and look forward to networking opportunities at the conference.

Champaign, Illinois – Future Business Leaders of America Clubs Prepare for National Leadership Conference

The Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) clubs from Champaign Central and Centennial high schools are gearing up for an exciting opportunity to showcase their skills at the National Leadership Conference in California, scheduled for August 2025. This annual event will gather students from across the country to compete in various business-related competitions, allowing participants to demonstrate their marketing and business acumen.

Teachers Eric Fagerlin and Farrah Tuttle from Central High School, along with Eric Springer from Centennial High School, will accompany the student teams to the conference. While not all members of the FBLA clubs will compete, those who do will engage in a variety of events designed to foster personal growth and professional development.

Among the participants is Nathalee Abad from Centennial High School, who will compete in a roleplay event that focuses on sports and entertainment management. Abad has utilized Quizlet as a study tool to prepare for her presentation. Fellow student Priyam Banerjee from Centennial is also participating; she is preparing for an entrepreneurship roleplay event, which requires participants to swiftly transition from receiving a prompt to delivering a coherent presentation. Banerjee has enhanced her preparations by reviewing feedback from prior competitions and watching online roleplay videos.

The competition will also feature group projects, such as one led by Matthew Philip and Sohum Gurrapu from Central High School, who are collaborating on a presentation about their partnership with a real business in India. In another project, Safa Thameem and Kennedy Borden from Centennial are developing a “Public Service Announcement” video on healthy workplace habits, a project that previously earned them fourth place at the state competition.

In another effort focused on social responsibility, students Hannah Libman and Aanya Rangaiahgari are working together on a social media campaign aimed at promoting a nonprofit organization. They have been practicing their presentations with local business leaders and advisers to prepare effectively for the competition.

Students are particularly enthusiastic about the networking opportunities that the conference will offer, as they will have the chance to interact with peers from across the nation. Gurrapu expressed excitement about traveling beyond Illinois and the diverse experiences that await the group in California. Meanwhile, Rangaiahgari, who previously ranked in the top ten at the national conference, looks forward to attending the awards ceremony with anticipation.

To support their journey, the students have been actively fundraising to meet the travel costs, which amount to approximately $1,500 per member. They are also seeking further sponsorship from local businesses to help cover these expenses. In addition to the competitive events, students will have the opportunity to enjoy recreational activities, including attending a Los Angeles Angels baseball game during their free time.

Looking ahead, the teachers are planning additional events and initiatives for the FBLA clubs following the conference. This proactive approach aims to ensure that students continue benefiting from their participation in FBLA, further enhancing their skills and preparing them for future leadership roles in the business world.

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