FBLA Begins Year With Installation Ceremony

Nearly 50 Members Attend Organizational Event

by Reporter Bailey Morris

September 04, 2009

On Tuesday, September 1^st, forty-eight FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) members, along with their FBLA officer and sponsor, Dana Epley, gathered at the Teen Center in Roseland to hold their annual Installation Supper and Organizational Meeting. The meeting gives the members a chance to mingle and interact with other kids who they may not bump into on a day-to-day basis. The gathering started off just as the high school kids had hoped, with pizza and pop! After indulging in the food, the installation ceremony began.

Dana Epley introduced the new FBLA officers who were all dressed in business attire, excited for the new school year. Last year’s vice president and senior Ronny Sorensen was voted our responsible and reliable President. At his side, with the title of Vice President, was Kayla Timm, a repeat officer who stands loyal her FBLA chapter. In addition to these two, Jennifer Mahoney (also a return officer) was designated the office that fits perfectly with her many talents, Secretary. Kevin Hall was Reporter for the chapter last year, and continues as an officer this year as the Parliamentarian. The rest of the officers are all first-timers: Nate Kosse – Treasurer, Cami Bruckman - Historian, and Bailey Morris – Reporter. They are very anxious to see what they can do to help out the chapter.

Following the installation ceremony, the students played an icebreaker activity entitled Autograph Bingo! This was a fantastic way for the kids, especially freshmen, who were shy or nervous to go and grab a senior and say, “Hey! You’ve been out of the country! Sign my sheet!” That was the nature of the game, to find someone who had done something on your sheet and autograph it. The first one to fill their sheet with “autographs” was to be declared the winner. It was no surprise to anyone when Senior Chloe Gibson was the first to get a “blackout” as this was a game that took someone who was not shy!

The night ended with a short informational meeting concerning all of the events that will be held in the upcoming months. The chapter will be holding a trash pick-up on Wednesday, September 16^th. On Tuesday, September 29th, the seven officers and their sponsor will travel to Kearney for a Fall Leadership Conference, and on Saturday, October 3^rd, the chapter will host their annual Junior High Volleyball Tournament in Bladen. “My goal was to have fifty members and we are almost there. I hope to get at least a few more members on board and surpass our goal, stated Sponor Dana Epley. Mrs. Epley followed this up by stating that she is “very excited for the new year!”