Aspiring leaders attend FBLA statewide workshop

The Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Chapter at Coal City High School sent eight officers and four members to the FBLA Summer Leadership Workshop in Springfield.
An energetic conference sparked the students with many new ideas, networking with other students from all over the state, and the conference provided several hours to plan the activities Coal City High School’s chapter will do in the coming school year.
Abby Stiles, the chapter secretary, shared her experience.
“There were many great networking opportunities that caused a positive experience. The workshop overall guided me to determine what I need to do to help better Coal City’s chapter,” Stiles said.
Ethan Scrogham had a similar experience.
“I had a wonderful time at the FBLA Summer Leadership Workshop. I had the opportunity to build new connections with people across the state. We also played many team building activities that were so fun. To top it off, we tried lots of amazing food and dressed up for the banquet,” said Scrogham, the chapter’s treasurer.
Other members representing Coal City High School at the conference, held July 27-29, were Kylee Kennell, president; Wyleigh Serena, vice president; Dylan Young, reporter; Luke Pfitzenmaier, historian; Aubrey Grunwald, activity director, and members Ella Sorensen, William Johnke, Cade Poyner, Mason Hamilton and Naomi Stoudt.
There were mock elections to determine state officer roles and Stiles had this to say about the election process, “I was honored when I was nominated by my group to be the campaign manager for someone running for the treasurer position. I was excited to speak in front of the entire conference.”
Scrogham, Stiles and Kennell received the Aspiring Business Leader Scholarship.
This scholarship recognizes a student’s business leadership potential that will meet the future needs of careers in government, business, industry, and educational fields. The scholarship is designed to promote leadership development from participation in the Illinois FBLA Summer Leadership Workshop.
Business instructor Harlan Kennell serves as advisor to the Coal City chapter.