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FSHS students place at FBLA contest
Two Fort Scott High School students meant business during a recent state competition.
Alex Pemberton, a senior, and Mallory Shelton, a sophomore, both placed at the Future Business Leaders of America State Contests which took place last month in Topeka. FBLA competitions at the district, state and national level involve many types of tests as well as several individual and team speaking events.
Lisa Ward, business education teacher at FSHS, said both students performed "exceptionally well" at state contests and also qualified for the FBLA national competition which will take place in July in Nashville, Tenn.
"In the past 15 years, we have only placed in the top ten twice and that was in speaking events," she said. "They are truly two outstanding students and their efforts were exceptional."
Pemberton and Shelton, along with several hundred other students, took written exams at the state contests, while a smaller number of students competed in speaking events that were divided into categories such as job interview, impromptu, public speaking, and ethics.
At the state contests, Shelton placed seventh out of 329 students in Intro to Business Communications and ninth out of 282 students in Intro to Business. Pemberton placed first out of 163 students in Business Law, third out of 240 students in Economics, fifth out of 280 students in Business Procedures, and fifth out of 345 students in Personal Finance.
Ward said this is the first time in 16 years that an FSHS student has qualified for the national competition. Pemberton qualified for nationals this summer in the topics of law and economics.
"It's exciting to be heading to Nashville because our school usually doesn't have students place high enough," he said. "It's going to be a great experience and I look forward to representing Fort Scott in the national competition."
Shelton also qualified for nationals but due to a prior commitment, only Pemberton will represent FSHS at that event. Because Pemberton is limited to only one test at nationals, he will be taking the economics test, Ward said.
Pemberton said he is currently more interested in economics "because of its current importance to the nation and the present business environment."
"The recession has prompted many changes in economic policy that I find fascinating, and because of that interest I chose to compete in the economics contest at nationals," he said.
Pemberton added that he was surprised at his test results considering he had competed in a baseball game and made the long drive to Topeka the night before the state contests.
"I didn't get much sleep and was pretty tired when I took the tests," he said. "It was a pleasant surprise to find out I placed as highly as I did because I didn't think I did great on the tests."
Shelton said the topics of business and business management are important because they teach students "about leadership and how to perform successfully in a business-like setting." She added that she was "excited" that she had placed at the state contests, and "a little surprised" at her results due to the large number of students who took the tests.
Pemberton said he is planning to attend the Barton School of Business at Wichita State University next year and major in entrepreneurship. He also said he is considering a double major in political science and is very interested in studying the nation's economy and fiscal issues.
Shelton said she currently doesn't have a plan to pursue a career in business, but she definitely wishes to pursue a career where she will use the skills she is learning in the FBLA.
"I think it is important to develop leadership skills for any career I might choose in the future," she said.