Champaign and Centennial FBLA Clubs Prepare for National Conference

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Students from Champaign Central and Centennial high schools collaborate on projects for the FBLA National Leadership Conference.

News Summary

Future Business Leaders of America clubs from Champaign Central and Centennial high schools are preparing for their trip to California to attend the National Leadership Conference in August 2025. This event provides students an opportunity to showcase their business skills through competitions and network with peers nationwide. Teachers will accompany the students, many of whom are participating in various roleplay events, campaigns, and presentations. The students are also actively fundraising to cover the estimated $1,500 travel costs for each member.

Illinois – Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) clubs from Champaign Central and Centennial high schools are gearing up for an upcoming trip to California, where they will participate in the National Leadership Conference scheduled for the end of August 2025. This annual event offers students an opportunity to demonstrate their business and marketing acumen through various competitive events while networking with peers from around the country.

Teachers Eric Fagerlin and Farrah Tuttle, alongside Eric Springer from Centennial High School, will accompany the participating students on this educational journey. While not all FBLA members will engage in competitions, those who do have reported significant personal growth and invaluable experiences throughout their preparation and participation.

Among the students, Nathalee Abad from Centennial is preparing for a roleplay event centered on sports and entertainment management. She has been utilizing Quizlet as a study tool to help her tackle potential scenarios effectively. Priyam Banerjee, also from Centennial, is readying herself for an entrepreneurship roleplay event that requires her to think on her feet, responding swiftly to prompts and delivering polished presentations. Banerjee has taken the initiative to review feedback from previous competitions and watch online videos to refine her skills.

From Central High School, Matthew Philip and Sohum Gurrapu are working on a group presentation that focuses on their collaboration with a real business in India. Safer Thameem and Kennedy Borden from Centennial have created a “Public Service Announcement” video on healthy workplace habits, achieving a fourth-place finish during the state competition. Additionally, Hannah Libman and Aanya Rangaiahgari collaborated on a social media campaign that promotes a nonprofit organization. They practiced their presentation skills with local business leaders and guidance from their advisers.

All students participating are enthusiastic about the networking opportunities that the conference will provide. The event will allow them to meet and connect with fellow students from across the nation, fostering relationships that could prove beneficial in their future careers. Sohum Gurrapu expressed excitement about traveling outside of Illinois, looking forward to the diverse experiences that await them at the conference. Aanya Rangaiahgari, who previously earned a spot in the top ten at the national conference, is particularly eager for the awards show that showcases student achievements.

The trip is expected to be financially demanding, with travel costs around $1,500 per member. To mitigate these expenses, the students have been actively fundraising and are also reaching out to local businesses for sponsorship opportunities to cover the necessary funds. The teachers are also planning future events for the FBLA clubs after the conference to continue fostering business leadership skills among students.

The FBLA National Leadership Conference serves as a highlight for participating clubs, allowing students to engage in skill-building activities, competitions, and networking opportunities, all crucial for their development as future business leaders. As the students prepare for this significant event, they look forward to representing their schools and gaining experiences that will benefit their personal and professional journeys.