EBC Wins Third in NH

The Exeter Business Club (EBC) competed in the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) State Leadership Conference last Thursday and Friday and won eight first-place awards, five second-place awards and four third-place awards.

Club members demonstrated their knowledge on a variety of business topics with other competitors across the state through tests and presentations. Overall, the club won third place as a chapter through its annual activities and performance at the state competition.

Twenty-four Exonians have qualified for the National FBLA Leadership Conference, which will take place in Atlanta, Ga. from June 29 to July 2.

Held in Manchester, last weekend’s conference consisted of competitive events ranging from business ethics, business law, entrepreneurship and global business to personal finance, sales presentation, public speaking and economics. The opening included a keynote speaker and candidate speeches by students running for New Hampshire FBLA state offices. The majority of that afternoon was devoted to competing in events. On the second day, various workshops relating to different fields of business were held and awards were given out.

Lower Jack Baker, who placed first in the Business Ethics event with his partner lower Arielle Lui, has been a member of EBC for two years. He reminisced on how, as a prep, he did not know what to expect from a FBLA competition or how to prepare for it. “I took a test on personal finance and did not do very well. I was very disappointed, and it was especially difficult to be one of the few Exonians who did not place,” Baker explained.

“While most people competed individually or in small groups, the pride we all took in getting third place as a school was really cool.”

Nevertheless, he found the co-heads and founders, particularly senior Joon Kim and upper Melissa Lu, to be extremely supportive and was encouraged to continue with the club.

This year, he was better prepared for the competition and knew what to expect. He and his partner Lui chose to do a presentation on the ethics behind animal testing. Though they both felt anxious after presenting, they excelled and earned first place at the competition.

Baker described winning as especially rewarding because of the extensive amount of  time and effort they put into preparing. “If I looked at myself now from last year, I wouldn’t believe how much I have grown as a member of the club,” he said, adding, “It’s an underdog story I guess.”

Lower Emily Green, who placed first in the Impromptu Speaking event, found the competition to be a great learning experience since it gave her the opportunity to learn from others outside of the “Exeter bubble.”

She also acknowledged the impact her club members had on her experience at the competition. “I learned mostly to believe in myself and the ability of the other members of EBC, and I am really proud of how we did,” she said.

Lower Aash Bhuva, upper Harrison Wladis and lower Thomas Stucke won first place under the category Sports and Entertainment Marketing.

Bhuva joined EBC after being introduced by his dorm mates. After attending

a few meetings, he took on the challenge to compete in the conference and has seen great improvement in his work ever since. “From the conference, I learned a lot about the importance of expressing an idea so it is appealing to both parties,” he said.

Although the competition was the main aspect of the conference, Bhuva also enjoyed the extra components of the event such as the workshops because they emphasized the necessity of teamwork. “My favorite part was the workshop where we got to help a company that sells drinks find new ways to advertise its products,” Bhuva said.

Lower Tim Han joined EBC this year and won first place in the Public Speaking 1 event at the FBLA conference. He was excited to see his fellow club members’ hard work pay off at the competition. “A lot of people sacrificed an hour or two every week for this club, and it was great seeing them achieve the success they deserved,” he said.

He cited the award ceremony on the second day as his favorite part, not because they won, but because “everyone was recognized for all the time and effort they put into business club.” Han went on to say that “while most people competed individually or in small groups, the pride we all took in getting third place as a school was really cool.” Han is honored to be able to go on to Nationals, and his feeling of accomplishment is only heightened by knowing that so many others from Exeter will go as well.

With the conference over, EBC has shifted its attention towards nationals. The dedicated members hope to continue to improve and surpass last year’s success, where they placed first and seventh nationally.

“I’m really excited for nationals and look forward to working hard to improve from where I am now as well as grow some more as a person and as a team from the experiences we’ll have in Atlanta,” Green said.