Over 400 Missouri high school students and advisors descended upon Lebanon, Missouri for the Missouri Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) District 11 Leadership Conference. St. James High School had 29 members in attendance, under the direction and support of advisor Kristin Lorts. 

St. James students competed at the district level against students from 18 other schools in FBLA District 11.

The students' main focus was competitive events. These events ranged from Advertising to Website Design, with Event Planning, Personal Finance and Public Speaking mixed in between. Overall, FBLA is home to more than 70 events.

St. James’ presence at the conference extended beyond competition, as Johnny Perkins fulfilled his role as District 11 president by helping run the conference.

St. James brought home 26 medals, and of those had 12 students qualify for the State Leadership Conference in the following events:

• AgriBusiness - Alyssa Gill

• Business Communication - Johnny Perkins

• Data Analysis - Ryder Byfield, Caden DeLuca, Isaac Smith

• Digital Video Production - Lily Davis, Jaci Foust, Johnny Perkins

• Event Planning - Avery Campbell, Milli Hartley, Ava Snyder

• Impromptu Speaking - Johnny Perkins

• Introduction to Business Communication - Macy McCurdy

• Personal Finance - Jolie Roark

• Project Management - Avery Campbell

• Retail Management - Ava Snyder

The St. James FBLA Organization will be taking the 12 students to compete at the State Leadership Conference in 10 different events, which will be held April 12 to 14 in Springfield. To qualify for the State Leadership Conference, a student must place in the top two in any event that requires a performance piece or place in the top five of any testing events.

In addition to the competitive events at the District Leadership Conference this year, students were also able to enjoy some other opportunities. The students in attendance attended leadership activities, and were also able to network with other schools.

Missouri FBLA is the official Career and Technical Student Organization for Missouri Business Education. Missouri FBLA is proudly supported and run by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. There are nearly 16,000 members of the organization from Missouri, making Missouri the second largest chapter in the nation.