mdux@fairburyjeffs.org

FBLA American Enterprise Project

During the month of November, twenty-four members of Fairbury FBLA conducted their annual American Enterprise project. This year, three classes of Fairbury Elementary fourth-graders were taught the meaning of American Enterprise, the importance of spending locally and the multiplier effect which happens when money is spent within the community. Third graders were able to set up a cookie baking business, bake cookies at the high school, and market their cookies to the high school and junior high students. With over $400 in revenue collected over three days, this year’s cookie sales were a big success! After paying all expenses, the remaining profit will be split between the three fourth-grade classes. Each individual class will decide how to spend their business profits. The annual American Enterprise project is enjoyed by all students. FBLA members enjoy working with the younger kids, and the fourth-graders love making a trip to the high school. “Overall, I thought this project was pretty fun,” FBLA President, Zane Grizzle said. “We (FBLA members) got a lot out of this project and were able to help fourth graders understand what goes into making a business and understand the American Enterprise System.

Personal Finance Classes Examine Car Buying Options

On May 5, students in the Personal Finance Classes traveled to C & O Ford in Fairbury to enhance their knowledge of car loans and buying a car. Mr. Larry Cote offered advice for buying a new versus a used car, explained the loan process, and gave tips about what to look for in a used car. Cote also discussed rebates on new vehicles, trade-ins, and the importance of credit. Students walked away with a better understanding of the car buying process. Junior Evelyn Deras commented, “I learned that there are a lot of steps to complete the process of buying a car and getting a loan. I also learned that you need credit to buy a car so that the car dealers know that you will be able to pay the car with no problem.” One of the students’ favorite parts of the trip was the opportunity to explore the array of vehicles on the car lot and compare prices and features of the vehicles.

FAIRBURY FBLA COMPETES AT STATE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

Three Fairbury FBLA members advance to national competition following the 2016 FBLA Nebraska State Leadership Conference held April 7-9 in Omaha. The annual conference provided competition in 71 events, leadership training, networking, and fun for FBLA members across the state. Fairbury FBLA’s 15 qualifying members joined over 2800 Nebraska members and advisers to compete and celebrate another successful year in FBLA.

Throughout the leadership event, members participated in competitive events, motivational seminars, and the election of the new State Officer Team. Honorable Mention awards were announced at the second general session, recognizing those who placed in the top 4% of each event. The Awards Program held on Saturday morning announced the top eight winners in each event and revealed who would represent Nebraska FBLA at the National Leadership Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, this summer.

Seniors Halle Knigge and Lindsay Lee, and junior Justin Peterson presented the chapter’s American Enterprise project at the conference. This project profiled the chapter’s cookie baking business implemented with the 3^rd-grade classrooms earlier in the school year. A 15-page report was submitted in February, which was one of five selected for oral presentation at SLC. A seven-minute oral overview and Power Point were presented to a panel of three judges at the conference. The combined score of their written report and oral presentation placed third to advance to the top competition at the 2016 National Leadership Conference in June.

Freshman Isaac Robertson won the Proofreading event and placed third in the Spelling contest. Sophomore Jacob Johnson earned fifth place in the Spelling event. Junior Hannah Yantz placed fifth in Publication Design. Senior Nick Christiansen placed eighth in Job Interview. Over 337 students competed in this event, placing Nick in the top 2% of this event. Lindsay Lee received honorable mention in Accounting I and junior Justin Peterson earned an honorable mention in Securities and Investments.

Nick Christiansen, Trent Grizzle and Jacob Johnson earned the chapter’s Gold Seal Award of Merit with their Local Chapter Annual Business Report. Fairbury FBLA received the prestigious Sweepstakes Award, representing active participation in the state’s program of work. The chapter also received recognition for contributing to the Nebraska FBLA Foundation and the Nebraska March of Dimes. Fairbury FBLA was also honored for their participation in the Feed Nebraska Project through their food drive in the fall and integration of technology in chapter activities throughout the year.

Fairbury chapter members attending were: Seniors: Nick Christiansen, Lindsay Lee, Halle Knigge; Juniors: Justin Peterson, Megg Vaughn, Hannah Yantz, Anthony Moyer; Sophomores: Dawson DeBoer, Trent Grizzle, Jacob Johnson and Freshman: Destiny Brown, Nichole Harris, Devin Holliday, Mikasa Lierman, and Isaac Robertson. Adviser Melissa Dux and parent-sponsor Julie Knigge accompanied the Fairbury delegation.

Financial Advisor Shares Wealth of Knowledge with Personal Finance Classes

Edward Jones financial advisor, Jay Peterson, was a featured speaker in the Personal Finance classes this week. Peterson shared his wealth of knowledge about investing and gave advice about choosing stock. This helped prepare the students for their upcoming Stock Market simulation in which students will select stock to purchase and monitor their investments over the next 7 weeks. He also shared the importance of learning about personal finance while in high school with the juniors and seniors in the class. Peterson advised the students that regardless of their future career, they will be using the information learned in Personal Finance class. Students especially enjoyed how Peterson was able to relate the investing concepts to their own lives. Senior Brooke Eisenhauer stated, “It helped to have Mr. Peterson give examples of real money situations people might go through during their lifetime.”

FBLA National Fall Leadership Conference

Five FBLA Members attended the National Fall Leadership Conference in Omaha on November 6 and 7. With over 2400 students in attendance, members were able to connect with FBLA members from many other states including Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Oklahoma, and even Vermont. Members had the opportunity to listen to motivational keynote speakers Patty Hendrickson and Aaron Davis. The Conference provided ample opportunities for professional development and career planning through networking and workshops.

Students Demonstrate Sales Techniques

Intro to Business students had the opportunity to practice their sales techniques in class on Friday, September 25. Students learned about sales tactics during the marketing unit and applied their knowledge by giving a sales demonstration of a product of their choosing to the rest of the class. Students enjoyed playing the role of the consumer as well and challenged each other with questions about the products.