MPISD – News

MPHS FBLA Advisor John Whitten (left), 2023-2024 Area FBLA Parliamentarian Gopi Amin (center), and 2023-2024 Area FBLA President Angelina Hernandez (right)

MPHS FBLA Area competitors

Contact: 

Kelly Cowan

Record number of Mount Pleasant High School FBLA students advance to State.

The Mount Pleasant High School chapter of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) competed against over 250 students in the Area VI FBLA Leadership Conference on Monday, January 30, at the Region 8 Educational Service Center. Of the 61 competitors representing Mount Pleasant High School, MPHS had a very successful day, with 53 members qualifying for State, a new school record. Thirty-four individuals earned 1st place in their respective events at the area conference, and MPHS placed 1st in 20 of the 31 events they entered. 

In addition to competing, MPHS junior, Angelina Hernandez, was elected the FBLA Area VI President, with sophomore Gopi Amin named the FBLA Area VI Parliamentarian for 2023-2024.

Students advancing to State, their area placement, and event are as follows: 

• Broadcast Journalism – Anthony Orellana, Madison Carpenter, and Elijah Rider (1st)
• Business Calculations – Perla Guzman (2nd), Shirlyn Cardona (4th)
• Business Ethics – Harley Martin (1st)
• Business Law – Abigail Retana (3rd)
• Client Service – Mea Banda (1st)
• Computer Applications – Ethan Harbour (2nd)
• Cyber Security – Nayla Navarro (1st)
• Data Analysis – Joel Palacios, Oscar Castellanos, and Andrew Perez (1st)
• Database Design and Applications – Param Poudel (2nd)
• Digital Video Production – Evelyn Hernandez and Wendy Valdez (2nd)
• Future Business Leader – Hope Powell (2nd)
• Graphic Design – Kaira Leija and Jocelyn Marroquin (1st)
• Health Care Administration – Natalie Crockett (1st)
• Help Desk – Rachel Cato (2nd)
• Hospitality and Event Management – Reese Ball, Sophie Greco and Olivia Reed (1st)
• Introduction to Business Concepts – Alessandro Greco (1st)
• Introduction to Business Presentation – Jessica Hang and Bryanna Nava (4th)
• Introduction to FBLA – Xitlaly Sanchez (1st), Kate Ball (2nd)   
• Introduction to Financial Math – Luke Thurman (1st)
• Introduction to Public Speaking – Gopi Amin (1st)
• Journalism – Idania Castanon (2nd), Joseline Almazan (3rd), Luis Garcia (4th)
• Marketing – Mary Reeve (1st)
• Mobile Application Development – Jose Fuentes, Abby Phelan, and Yahaira Pina (1st)
• Organizational Leadership – Natalia Aspeitia (1st)
• Public Service Announcement – Desiree Avila and Ariana Jones (1st)
• Public Speaking – Angelina Hernandez (2nd)
• Publication Design – Ilse Ojendis, Yasenia Paloblanco, and Tiffany Rangel (1st)
• Securities and Investments – Shpat Zeqaj (1st)
• Social Media Strategies – Genesis Aguilar, Estefanie Garcia, and Cecilia Phan (1st)
• Website Design – Marcela Mata and Kayla Hernandez (1st)
• American Enterprise Project – Javier Vasquez and Madeline Plascencia (automatically qualify for State)

“We had an excellent showing at our area competition as our students rose to the occasion,” said head FBLA Advisor John Whitten. “I am extremely proud of our students. They have been working after school weekly since October studying test materials, creating presentations, and finalizing their speeches. I am excited for our students as they have the opportunity to prepare for State. Students will now begin the process of trying to better their test scores along with improving their presentations and speeches. I am excited to see our students have the opportunity to further their success at the state level. We have a great group of FBLA students who embody the spirit of what you would want in a future leader. I am proud to lead a dedicated group of students who make me proud to be their advisor.”

Advancing students will compete at the FBLA State Leadership Conference in Galveston on March 22-24, 2023. MPHS FBLA Advisors are John Whitten, Shanta Lockett, and Brian Williams.