An area Future Business Leaders of America chapter will have eight members advancing to state in the spring.

The Saline County Career Center’s FBLA Chapter members participated in District-19 competition in Chillicothe on Monday, February 14.

According to a news release, district competition consists of online objective tests, performance events and production tests.

In Intro to Event Planning,  Kristine Morales earned the first place title. Other students advancing to state include:

• Introduction to FBLA – Kristine Morales (Second Place)
• Advertising – Jessica Parada (Fifth Place)
• Agribusiness – Connor Grossenburg (Fourth Place )
• Economics – Marie Ramirez (Fourth Place)
• Human Resource Management – Courtney Holland (Third Place)
• Intro to Business Procedures – Chase Johnston (Third Place)
• Introduction to FBLA – Guadalupe Morales (Third Place)

The State Leadership Conference is scheduled to  be held at University Plaza Hotel, EXPO Center and the JQH Arena at Missouri State University in Springfield from April 10 through the 12.

In addition to the state qualifiers, several members earned medals for their events during the District Leadership Conference.

In the Impromptu Speaking event, Jonathan Zelaya placed fifth. In Intro to Public Speaking, Shelley Thompson earned fourth place. Lizvet Menendez, Melvin Morales and Jessica Parada took home second place in the Marketing event. In Sports and Entertainment Management, Michael Hechavarria placed third.

Photo (Courtesy of FBLA Advisor) Front L-R:  Michael Hechavarria, Jonathan Zelaya, Melvin Morales, Holly Huston, Lauren Chaney-King, Jessica Parada; Back L-R:  Shelley Thompson, Damaris Cantor, Marissa Snell, Guadalupe Morales, Kristine Morales