The FBLA State Leadership Conference

The FBLA State Leadership Conference

Exeter High School's very own FBLA club, the Future Business Leaders of America, traveled to Manchester, New Hampshire, to compete in a highly respected business conference: the FBLA State Leadership Conference. 

This event takes place each year during the springtime. This school year was Exeter's first time as a chapter, and in the fall, the club attended the Fall Leadership Workshop, at which the 2024-2025 state officers revealed this year's state officer projects for the different chapters in New Hampshire. This fall event was held at the University of New Hampshire, and attendees were able to listen to guest speakers, attend workshops and enjoy a meal at the UNH dining hall. 

At the spring event, 11 eager business students from Exeter High School, led by Mr. Moge, traveled to Manchester in formal business attire, prepared to compete in the State Leadership Conference. Students competed in a variety of events, including Sports Management or Business Law, Data Analysis or Hospitality and Event Planning. The options to compete provided countless opportunities to fit whatever branch of business interested attendees. Four of Exeter's very own placed in the top three for their events, securing their spots to compete at the National Leadership Conference in California this summer.

• Jacob Filomeno placed 3rd in Accounting 1.

• Kaelyn Cooper placed 3rd in Business Law

• Alexandria Thomas-Batchelder placed 3rd in Hospitality and Event Management.

• Jasmin Winham took home the gold for Data Analysis.

This was a fantastic showing considering it was Exeter's debut as a chapter; the many students who participated showed hard work and dedication preparing for their events throughout the year. 

A special shoutout to Exeter's Caroline Normand, who was elected as the Social Media Manager for the state! She will serve a term as a State Officer for the 2025-2026 season and will provide chapters with her own state officer project for students in New Hampshire to work on to get recognized for their efforts when the next State Leadership Conference comes back around next spring. 

The events were just one of the many things to experience at the conference. Also of note were two groups of special individuals who came and performed for the FBLA members of New Hampshire.

First Nobel Sheep, Asley and Jose, came and enhanced the experience with positive and exciting attitudes that set an enjoyable tone to the entire conference with their enthusiastic words and the stories of their hard pasts that pushed them to become successful business leaders today and inspired the hundreds of students and advisors in attendance. 

As the first day of the SLC came to a close, students were surprised with a performance from Justin Spencer and his cousin Ryan Vezina, who are most recognizable from their hit show Chaos and Kindness. At the conference, the two men created music through everyday objects called recycled percussion. This was an exciting addition to an event that is looked forward to throughout the year and can release the stressful atmosphere of having to compete by bringing in these special guests for all to enjoy. 

The second day of the conference was the final day of the NH FBLA SLC. Students were able to visit different workshops to learn about different business applications in the real world. When the workshops came to a close the award ceremony concluded the day as Exeter left with a win, 3 third place medals, a newly elected state officer, and a new confidence that will allow the Exeter FBLA chapter to go into the State Leadership Conference next spring, excited by the endless opportunities.