LHS Captures 3 State Titles at 2021 FBLA State Competition

LEMONT, IL — For the seventh time since 2010, Lemont High School’s chapter of the Future Business Leaders of America has earned multiple state titles, the district said in a release. Lemont placed among the top 10 in all nine events in which its students entered at the 2021 FBLA State Leadership Conference, which was contested virtually and included more than 1,100 competitors.

Competitors who finish among the top four in their respective categories earn the right to participate in the 2021 FBLA National Leadership Conference, which will be held virtually this summer, the district said.

Seven Lemont students have earned the chance to compete at the national level after combining for six top-four finishes. All of Lemont’s state champions were first-time winners, the school said. Junior Zach Etzkorn placed first in Agribusiness, junior Gracie Meloni triumphed in Impromptu Speaking, and juniors Miriam Hagen and Reena Sethi combined for top honors in Business Ethics.

Junior Alec Yaagoub was the state runner-up in Economics, while Julia Janowski placed second in 3D Animation; and junior Melissa Nunez finished third in Public Speaking. Lemont’s other top-ten finishers included juniors Jayne Pelen and Jackie Wencl (6th - Social Media Strategies); sophomore Sebastian DelaTorre (6th - Spreadsheet Applications); and senior Devin Shah and junior Safin Saraiya (7th - Sales Presentation), according to the school.

Lemont advanced to the FBLA State Leadership Conference after 10 event wins and 20 top-three finishes at the virtual Central Northern Area Conference regional competition. The school said Lemont’s FBLA chapter has won at least one state title in nine of the last 11 state competitions (the 2020 FBLA State Leadership Conference was cancelled), and has captured multiple titles seven times (five in 2011 and 2016, four in 2017 and 2018, and three in 2010, 2015 and 2021).

Lemont’s FBLA chapter is sponsored by teacher John Aspel.