Wauconda FBLA students shine at state conference
The 69th Annual Future Business Leaders of America Conference was held in April in Springfield. Wauconda FBLA sent 96 members to the Illinois FBLA State Leadership Conference. Out of those students, 66 placed in the Top 10 and 39 qualified for nationals in Baltimore this summer.
Wauconda FBLA had several State Champions: D'Quan Mace, Sebastian Casas, Josh Chapnick, Lori Krawczyk, Eli Wurster, McKenzie Dopak, Brett Winkel, Ethan Yost, Connor Brannick, Sam Bianco and Spozmai Khan.
Students taking home second place were: Jesarela Villarreal, Abdiel Villarreal, Olivia Batson, Estefany Garcia, Sam Bianco, Shawna Weber, Karly Pikel, Alicia Diol, Kelly Poyo, Danielle Vogel, Tommy O'Brien, Chloe Cardaras, Katrina Nishioka and Annie Luu.
Third place winners included: Kate Otterson, Alyssa Weinert, Kelly Weller, Matt Nolan, Andrew Nolan, Patrick Solis, Lacey Coyne, Grace Lewandowski and David Waraksa.
Fourth Place winners were: Sonakshi Garr, Bradley Nolan, Kelly Kroegel, Luke Johnson, Chelsea Hernandez, Nate Brown and Gurnek Mokha.
Coming in fifth were: Bailey Burke, Ty Burke, Isabella Oakes, Chloe Cardaras, Shannon McNutt, Taylor Splingaire, Morgan Bilancia, Augie Van Teylingen and Hayley Hausherr.
Sixth Place winners were: Dev Patel, Nathan Chung and Jason Carlson.
Seventh place finishers were: Matt O'Brien, Donovan Carter, Macie Hanson and Marcus Keller.
In eighth place were: Jessica Chapnick and Bailey Burke.
In ninth place were: Bridgette Galve, Jeanine Cordova and Evelyn Barrios.
In 10th place was: Emily McGovern.
"These kids are absolutely amazing! Every year, I don't think it's possible to qualify so many students but they work hard and continue to do well at state," FBLA Adviser Wendy Mills said, "I am so proud of Sonakshi Garr for running for state president. She was the first candidate to run from Wauconda High School since 1955, and she ran an outstanding campaign ... she came very prepared."
Illinois FBLA State Secretary Shawna Weber said that "State was an incredible experience, and so was serving as state secretary. I am very honored and blessed that I had the privilege of serving Illinois FBLA and working with very talented individuals."
The students were also greeted back into the community with a police and fire escort.
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