MSU excels at 2026 FBLA State Leadership Conference

MANDAN, N.D. - Minot State University Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) participated in the 2026 FBLA Collegiate State Leadership Conference, Feb. 22-23 in Mandan.

Six FBLA Collegiate chapters from North Dakota and South Dakota participated in this conference, connecting approximately 60 postsecondary students to test business skills against their peers from around the states.

In addition to the competitive events program, students had the opportunity to attend workshops, vote for the 2026-27 state officer team, and network with members from around the state.

This year, members also had the opportunity to hear from North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong, a panel of business professions, and attend a tour of the Starion Sports Complex in Mandan. All Minot State members qualified for the National Leadership Conference which will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 6-8.

Chapter awards

• Dorothy L. Travis Outstanding Chapter Award: This award is a sweepstakes award named after the founder of ND FBLA. Points were given for each state officer candidate, current state officer, and participant and placement in competitive events.
• Largest ND Local Chapter Membership: 26
• Largest Percentage of Increase in Chapter Membership: 63%
• Largest Percentage of Retention in Chapter Membership: 46%
• Outstanding Local Chapter Adviser: Jan Repnow

Minot State individual competition award winners

• Who's Who in North Dakota FBLA Collegiate: Alec Wolf
• Future Business Executive: Mason Lemer
• Accounting Case Competition: 1st place, Team of Cambry Ankenbauer, Ava Thorenson, Allyson Webster
• Business Ethics: 2nd place, Team of Zack Volson and Alec Wolf
• Business Law: 2nd place, Allyson Webster; 3rd place, Nate Olson; 5th place, Megan Swenson
• Business Presentation: 1st place, Team of Marissa Beck and Lily Savelkoul; 2nd place, Team of Klye Sandy and Zack Volson
• Computer Applications: 1st place, Luke Curren; 3rd place, Kyleigh Wiltse
• Customer Service: 1st place, Alec Wolf; 2nd place, Tessa Galvin
• Digital Design and Communications Case: 1st place, Team of Shaylie Holen, Kyleigh Wiltse, Alec Wolf
• Emerging Business Issues: 1st place, Team of Mason Lemer and Kyle Sandy; 3rd place, Team of Jenna Heilman and Jersey Johson
• Entrepreneurship Pitch: 2nd place, Skye Shelmerdine; 3rd place, Liz Chapman
• Finance Case Competition: 1st place, Team of Nate Olson and Connor Radtke
• Foundations of Accounting: 1st place, Connor Radtke; 2nd place, Megan Swenson; 4th place, Kyleigh Wiltse
• Foundations of Communications: 4th place, Tessa Galvin
• Foundations of Computer Science: 2nd place, Luke Curren; 4th place, Morgan Wittmayer
• Foundations of Digital Design: 1st place, Liz Chapman; 2nd place, Luke Curren; 3rd place, Shaylie Holen; 4th place, Jenna Heilman
• Foundations of Economics: 1st place, Nate Olson
• Foundations of Entrepreneurship: 3rd place, Kyle Sandy
• Foundations of Finance: 1st place, Ava Thorenson; 3rd place, Noah Urquijo
• Foundations of Management: 1st place, Zack Volson
• Foundations of Marketing: 2nd place, Skye Shelmerdine; 3rd place, Lily Savelkoul
• Foundations of Selling: 2nd place, Connor Radtke
• Foundations of Technology: 3rd place, Morgan Wittmayer
• Hospitality Management Case Competition: 1st place, Team of Marissa Beck and Lily Savelkoul
• Impromptu Speaking: 2nd place, Cambry Ankenbauer
• Job Interview: 4th place, Tessa Galvin
• Organizational Behavior and Leadership: 2nd place Skye Shelmerdine; 4th place, Marissa Beck; 5th place, Jersey Johnson
• Parliamentary Procedure: 2nd place, Mason Lemer
• Public Speaking: 1st place: Liz Chapman
• Retail Management: 1st place, Allyson Webster; 2nd place, Shaylie Holen

Elections

• President: Alec Wolf, reelected for 2026-2027
• Vice President: Zack Volson reelected for 2026-2027

FBLA is a professional organization for students interested in pursuing business careers. This year's theme of "Make Your Mark" reflects the goals of FBLA members, some of the best and brightest of today's young people. The mission of FBLA is to inspire and prepare students to become community-minded business leaders in a global society through relevant career preparation and leadership experiences.