News

2023-2024 News Articles - click to read about our activities

2022-2023 News Articles - Click links to read about our activities.

2021-2022 News Articles - 50 Years of Kearney FBLA

First Meeting - 8/23/21

Kearney High's FBLA chapter had its first meeting of the 2021-2022 school year on August 23. There was an incredible turnout with many new faces. We started the evening with the FBLA emblem ceremony led by the new officer team. Next we had an officer installation and candle lighting ceremony. We finished the night with snacks and a classic game of spots. What a great way to start the new school year!

FBLA Olympics - 8/30/21

On Monday, August 30, the Kearney High FBLA chapter hosted their annual FBLA Olympics. Participants were grouped off into teams and created a team name. The teams were as follows: Shark Bait (a tradition), Shoes, Bananas, Trojan Horse, and Spartans. Word scramble, led by Winston and Carter, was the first event in which competitors had to come up with words only using the letters from the State Motto, 'World of Opportunity'. The next game was Isabella's FBLA relay which had six tasks. The third event, Ping-Pong Bounce, was organized by Carson and Andy. In order to win, each member from one's team had to bounce a ping-pond ball into a cup. Doughnut on a String was the last event. For this event, each team had to select one member to try to eat a doughnut hanging from a string without using their hands. Mrs. Allison and Lincoln, the Doughnut on a String organizer, made sure to follow all Covid precautions to make this event safe. This was an awesome meeting! We are all looking foreword to the fun we'll have in the future!

Adopt-a-Highway - 9/12/21

On Sunday, September 12, Kearney High School's FBLA chapter participated in its biannual Adopt-a-Highway. The turnout was much higher than past years; 23 students helped pick up trash. Proper safety measures were put in place to protect students. We wore neon vests, proper shoes, and gloves. Those who did not have gloves, were graciously provided gloves by Lincoln Sanny, our chapter's social media manager. In total, our chapter filled 21 large bags with trash from a portion of Highway 30. Thanks to all the participants and our wonderful adviser Mrs. Allison, this year's Adopt-a-Highway was very successful.

Guest Speaker - Assistant Principal Swarm - 9/13/21

Assistant Principal Swarm spoke at our meeting on September 13. We originally planned to have Principal Ganz speak, but he had to attend a school board meeting. Assistant Principal Swarm was a reliable back-up. He began by telling us about his high school experience and high school teachers and coaches. His high school wrestling coach was a very good leader and built up him and his teammates. This steered him in the path of wrestling in college rather than basketball. In college, Principal Swarm's wrestling coach was Marc Bauer. Principal Swarm explained how Bauer's constant positivity and encouragement greatly impacted not only his performance, but his leadership as well. Observing and implementing the leadership strategies of his teachers and coaches is still something Principal Swarm strives to do. The lesson he left us with was try to absorb the good qualities of leaders that you admire and use them in your business and everyday life.

New Member Fun Night - 9/20/21

Kearney High School's FBLA chapter hosted a New Member Fun Night on Monday, September 20th. We began with having root beer floats which were provided by our project manager officer at large, Winston Chu. Next, Isabella and Shameel gave a presentation about the benefits of FBLA. Then, Lincoln and Isabella shared their FBLA experience with the group. Lastly, we ended the night with a game of catchphrase.

KHS Trash Pick-up - 9/27/21

On September 27th, Kearney High School's FBLA chapter picked up trash all around the KHS campus. Twelve members, along with Mrs. Allison, helped. The area cleaned included all school lawns and parking lots.

Fall Leadership Conference - 9/28/21

Brody, Devin, Joe, and all members of our officer team attended West Nebraska's Fall Leadership conference at the Holliday Inn on Wednesday, September 28th. The day began with a presentation from a keynote speaker and an internet test. This year's keynote speaker was coach, educator, and author, Kevin Kush. During his presentation, Kush shared his philosophies and personal experiences with leadership. Next, officers and members attended presentations given by state officers (including Isabella Cao) and other community speakers. The conference ended with a game testing chapters on their knowledge of FBLA then a closing ceremony. For more information regarding the conference and speakers, see the agenda linked below.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aDNmran0zeuRGjTKTsyTMb-HYnUJxUerzvUd85z29mk/edit?usp=sharing

Area Meeting - 10/11/21

On October 11th, Kearney High School's FBLA chapter hosted an area meeting. The meeting began with an introduction by Nebraska's state president Lucas Lunzmann. Then, Andy Vu led a roll call of chapters. Deb Stroh, the adviser of Gibbon's FBLA chapter, and Jiromi Corona, a member of Gibbon's FBLA officer team were in attendance via Zoom. Next, attending members recited the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Shameel Aubeelauck and the FBLA Creed, led by Jackson Bokenkamp. Members then played an icebreaker organized by Lucas Lunzmann. The meeting ended with a presentation by Dr. Collin Sears from Elite Health and Wellness and his wife, Macy Sears from Longo Family Orthodontics. They spoke about their FBLA experiences and their experiences running Elite Health and Wellness.

Guest Speaker - Principal Ganz - 11/8/21

Principal Jeff Ganz was invited to speak at Kearney FBLA's November 8th meeting. During his presentation, Principal Ganz spoke about his early life and how he ended up as Kearney High School's new head Principal. Like many Nebraskans, Mr. Ganz grew up in Nebraska, left for a while, then came back. Before becoming a KHS Principal, Ganz served as Sunrise Middle School's Principal. Through lots of hard work and perseverance, Mr. Ganz earned the top position at Kearney High School. As always, Principal Ganz's presentation was filled with jokes and really enjoyable for FBLA members.

NFLC in Milwaukee

On Thursday, Nov. 18, six members from Kearney FBLA traveled with Mrs. Allison to Milwaukee, WI for the National Fall Leadership Conference. On Friday, the first official day of NFLC, there was a kickoff celebration along with two workshops, one about competitive events and the other about networking. After those activities, Kearney FBLA then went to an exciting Bucks vs. Thunder game at Fiserv Arena. On the last day of NFLC, there were two more activity sessions along with a tour of Fiserv Arena with a Q&A afterward. Then, Kearney FBLA made the long trip home.

Bowling for Babies 2021 - 11/21/21

On Monday, November 22, the Kearney FBLA chapter got together with FFA, Key Club, and several other student organizations at the Big Apple Fun Center to go bowling. This event was to raise money for the March of Dimes Foundation which supports the health of mothers and babies. Initial registration included bowling, shoe rental, and a small donation to March of Dimes. Some attendees chose to donate additional money by dropping change in the money shaped as baby bottles. Altogether, we raised over $150. Overall, it was a super fun night full of bowling, pizza, and raising money.

Junior Achievement Stock Market Challenge - 11/30/21

On November 30, many FBLA members participated in Junior Achievement's Stock Market Challenge. From 8:00 a.m. till 12:00 p.m., participants traded theoretical stocks in an online simulation. Each team began with $1,000,000 and had to grow it as large as they could in 60 theoretical days. The challenge helped students better understand the stock market and risk management. Overall, the Stock Market Challenge was a very fun and educational experience.

KHS FBLA 50th Anniversary - 12/6/21

Kearney High School's FBLA chapter celebrated its 50th anniversary on December 6th in the very beautifully-decorated SDMI. The evening began with an introduction given by FBLA's CEO, Alexander T. Graham. We then watched a presentation given by Mrs. Allison about KHS FBLA alumni and their experiences. Next, we played FBLA trivia while having FBLA cupcakes, a variety of snacks, and punch. We ended the evening looking through old photos of Kearney High's FBLA chapters. It was a very fun and nostalgic night.

Game Night - 12/13/21

On December 13, Kearney High School's FBLA chapter wrapped gifts for a community service project. We also watched lessons on financial literacy. We planned to also play board games, but ended up not having time.

Guest Speaker - Elijah Landell - 1/10/22

During the first FBLA meeting of 2022 (Jan.10), guest speaker Elijah Landell from Rising Tide Leadership Development, gave a presentation on leadership. The presentation included types of leaders and details on how Landell started Rising Tide Leadership Development. After the presentation, we decided where to donate our money using parliamentary procedure.

Guest Speaker - Jonah Staab - 2/21/22

On February 21st, Jonah Staab from Young Entrepreneur Enterprise Group came to speak to Kearney High School's FBLA chapter. Staab shared his story of how he became an entrepreneur and how he created his businesses. His first business was Sydewynders, wheels that could go side to side in addition to foreword and backward. Next, he began selling grill baskets using FBA (fulfillment by Amazon). He also created a website that sells spa products. Recently, Staab got a pyrotechnics license and puts on professional firework shows. Jonah Staab also leads Young Entrepreneur Enterprise group, a place where kids can go to start and develop their businesses.

Guest Speakers - Tom Bokenkamp and Joanell Staab - 3/7/22

Tom Bokenkamp from Ace Irrigation and Joanell Staab from Wilkins Architecture Design Planning LLC came to speak with Kearney High School's FBLA chapter on March 7th. Tom Bokenkamp shared how he got into the agriculture business and his past business experiences. He told about the problems he faced in business and how him and his business partners were able to overcome them. Joanell spoke second. She shared how Wilkins Architecture came to be and the importance of being able to work in a community that is important to you. She also spoke about the necessary education and experience that is required to become and architect. We also got some behind the scenes info of how Kearney High School was planned.