Future Business Leaders of America flock to EOU for skills conference

Future Business Leaders of America flock to EOU for skills conference

Feb. 6, 2023

LA GRANDE, Ore. – Well over 200 area middle and high school students flocked to Eastern Oregon University to participate in the Future Business Leaders of America Blue Mountain Region Skills Conference on Thursday, Feb. 2.

An estimated 247 young people active in the FBLA took part in the regional skills conference. 

EOU students Dawson Heuett and Spencer Shirtcliff led a workshop, “Presentation Station,” which highlighted how to give a speech with confidence, and how to interpret body language. 

“We are prepping them on how to give a presentation, what we think will be important,” Heuett said. “We’re fine-tuning their skills.” 

Jayda Cant, an Imbler High School student attending the workshop thought the workshops were valuable. 

“I’ve seen a lot of great presentations,” Cant said. “It definitely opened my mind to a lot of possibilities. They made it very relatable.” 

An Awards Ceremony followed the workshops and tours. Students received door prizes, awards and one lucky student even won a laptop. 

High schooler Casey Scott received a $500 FBLA Scholarship from the Eastern Oregon University Foundation. 

Schools that participated included: 

Baker Senior High School, Cove High School, Elgin High School, Grant Union High School, Helix High School, Heppner High School, Hermiston Senior High School, Imbler High School, Joseph Charter School, La Grande High School, McLoughlin High School, Ontario High School, Union High School, Baker Middle School and Imbler Middle Level.