Future business leaders compete for state title
Rock Canyon High School students pose for the camera following
the conclusion of the competition on Friday, February 7.
By Michael Shapiro, RCHS intern writer; photo courtesy of Jana Robinette
On Friday, February 7, roughly 1,000 high school students from across Douglas County descended on the Denver First Church for the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) district competition. Eighty-six Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) students participated in the competition, and after all the results were tabulated, 28 RCHS students made it through to the state competition and 50 students were recognized for their efforts in their respective competitions. With competition events ranging from management decision making to entrepreneurship, students were able to compete in a wide variety of real-world applicable events.
For those who were able to qualify for the state tournament, the thrill they experienced was unparalleled. “I participated in the marketing event,” RCHS senior Karlee Suhanyi said. “It was a really fun event and gave me an opportunity to show off all the work I have been doing over the past couple of months.”
Suhanyi, along with her partner and fellow senior Megan Boyles, won first place in their event and will be competing in the state competition in Vail in late April. Even for those who did not qualify for the state competition, the event was a terrific all around experience.
“My favorite part of the competition was being able to hang out with my friends and try to qualify for the state competition in management decision making,” RCHS senior Ted Opp said. “Even though my partner (senior Eric Stopps) and I came in fourth place and didn’t qualify for the state tournament, it was still a lot of fun and we learned a lot.”
The entire competition was organized by RCHS FBLA advisor and business program teacher Jana Robinette, RCHS students Jessica Hastings, Jamie Burnett, and Allie Johnson, as well as the FBLA advisor from Englewood High School. The work and planning put in by the advisors and students culminated in one of the most exciting and compelling district competitions in recent memory.
“I was so proud of all of our students that participated in the competition,” Robinette said. “I know that all of our students who were recognized worked for months preparing during school as well as before and after school. It was really a great feeling to see so many RCHS students up on stage gaining recognition for their hard work.”
