Future business leaders profit from competition

Every spring, chapters of the Future Business Leaders of America from Department of Defense Dependent Schools all over Europe gather to flaunt their business etiquette and expertise.

This year’s conference took place March 23 to 25 at the Edelweiss Lodge and Resort in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. More than 200 aspiring business leaders attended this year’s conference with representatives from Kaiserslautern American High School included.

Leading up to the event, students prepared rigorously for more than 46 competitive events relating to the business field.

“The kids worked really hard and I’m glad to see it pay off. Between them they raised every single penny needed to attend the conference,” said German and Business teacher Stephen Bond, KAHS chapter sponsor. “The conference itself is an awesome experience for these students and a testimony to the work they have put in to FBLA this year.”

The KAHS chapter raised their travel expenses by running a little business of their own, baking and selling cookies every day for their fellow students.

Kaiserslautern’s hard work paid off with four top-three awards.
Senior Angelica Punla took the victory of the Accounting II event. Her sister, senior Tiffany Punla, took a close second with senior Jessica Goodnite in DODDS business graphics.
Sophomore Chris Bournes took second in public speaking.
Sophomore Earon Brown stopped Lakenheath’s event sweep and took third in an introduction to business.

The taste of success is especially sweet for the returning seniors, the Punla twins.
“It was our last year to show how much we’ve learned and to prove we’re just as good if not better than the other prospective business leaders,” said Tiffany.
“It’s too bad we’re seniors because we would really enjoy attending this conference one more time,” Angelica said.