Andy Close
HERSHEY, Pa. – Three Warren County Career Center students – Macey Eyler, Christian Green, and Mitchell Rossman – qualified for nationals with their performances in the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) state competition in Hershey April 11-13.
The top four students in each event moved on to the FBLA National Leadership Conference in Chicago, June 29-July 2.
Eyler placed first in “Job Interview,” while Green was second in “Human Resource Management,” and Rossman fourth in “Hospitality and Event Management.”
For Eyler and Rossman, qualifying for nationals in their last opportunity is a dream come true.
“I was pretty confident that I was going to make it to nationals,” Eyler said. “But once we got to the awards presentation I was really nervous. I got called up, and it was crazy sitting there. Sixth-place got announced then fifth-place.”
Fourth got announced, then third then second, and finally Eyler. She had won.
But she might have been even more thrilled for Rossman.
“I was so excited for Mitch, I was like in tears,” Eyler said. “It was just super fun.”
And Eyler was well-prepared for her event.
“You could actually pick what job you were interviewing for,” Eyler said. “I interviewed for automotive body technician because that’s what I do at the Career Center, that’s what program I’m in. So they pretty much just ask you standard questions.”
That was the preliminary round. Eyler qualified for the final round, which included a total of 15 competitors.
“That was a little different,” Eyler said. “There were three judges and they just asked a little more in-depth questions, a little tougher questions.”
The process was a little different than in previous years, Rossman explained.
“Normally you take the test at Hershey and you learn whether you advanced to the preliminary round,” Rossman said. “But this year because it was online we knew beforehand. So we knew going there that only five of the 12 students had the opportunity to advance, and then the three of us did.”
Rossman took his test three weeks before and was able to finish in the top 15
“Unlike Macey, she had two different interviews, I only had the one,” Rossman said. “I had to sit in a room by myself, it was like a sales pitch for a beverage company. I had 20 minutes to come up with note cards and ideas for how to convince the buyer. I went into a room with five people, a couple of students, a couple of judges about the business and what we did.
“I wasn’t as confident as she was. It wasn’t my strong suit, really. I went up, I was obviously thrilled, I barely made it.”
Green, like Rossman, took a test prior to going to Hershey.
“No roleplay was required, unlike my experience with DECA,” Green said. “During my stay in Hershey, I was able to visit multiple skill-based workshops, drawing knowledge from every business-related field. During downtime, I had the opportunity to communicate with other students in a very professional and enriching manner.”
In addition to qualifying for nationals, Green said FBLA has helped prepare him for the future.
“It is truly a beneficial experience for anyone looking to expand their horizons in the professional world,” Green said. “I will recommend anyone do it if they have the chance.”
The students wanted to acknowledge the time and effort some of their teachers spent in helping them prepare for this experience.
“I want to thank Mrs. (Cathie) Cummings (FBLA Advisor), she was the only reason I did,” Rossman said. “She has been fantastic with teaching us. I give her so much credit for her insight.”
“Mr. (Robert) Smith and I have spent a lot of time studying for this, and he’s taught me really everything I know in business knowledge,” Eyler said. “I think what really made me place first and got me ahead was that business knowledge I had. I give him credit for teaching me all that and giving me the confidence to sell myself.”
A total of 12 students competed in the FBLA State Leadership Conference from WCCC. These students also included:
Madison Hamler and Sarah Tome – Graphic Design TEAM
Isabella Lyon – Sports and Entertainment Marketing
Kendra Chase and Paige Dexter – Entrepreneurship TEAM
Samuel Smith – Marketing
David Perry – Business Management
Halle McLaughlin – Marketing
Addison Downor-Rice – Entrepreneurship
And above all, they got an amazing experience, getting to visit Chocolate World, the Hershey Hotel, and more.
“We had a joke down there, we just kept saying unbelievable, unbelievable,” Eyler noted. “And it was cool for all the other kids too. Everyone was super supportive.”
And Rossman, Eyler, and Green are looking forward to going to Chicago, which will be yet another milestone to experience.
“You’re going up against thousands of other kids, but we’re just happy to even get an opportunity,” Rossman said.
Added Eyler: “We’re going to be there for like five days, so we’ll have a bunch of time. Definitely looking forward to it.”
