Northeast Community College FBLA-Collegiate students delivered another standout performance at the 2026 Nebraska State Leadership Conference, earning 14 top-five finishes, multiple chapter awards, and qualifying 12 students for the FBLA-Collegiate National Leadership Conference in Las Vegas this June.
Beyond the awards, the conference highlighted what Northeast FBLA-Collegiate consistently delivers: students who can communicate professionally, think critically, and step into real-world business situations with confidence.
Northeast’s chapter received several honors, including the Largest Two-Year Chapter Award, Gold Chapter Excellence Award, and a Race to 100 Winner distinction, reflecting the chapter’s continued growth and strong engagement across campus.
“Our competitors, who placed at the top of their respective categories, will be moving on to the National Leadership Conference in Las Vegas this June,” said Angie Shaffer, business instructor and Northeast FBLA-Collegiate advisor.
The Northeast team competed against numerous four-year institutions, including the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, University of Nebraska–Kearney, University of Nebraska–Omaha, Midland University, Chadron State College, Peru State College, Wayne State College, Wesleyan University, and York College. The other two-year college represented at the conference was Mid-Plains Community College.
Shaffer said FBLA-Collegiate focuses on developing leadership, communication, and teamwork skills, while also providing opportunities for members to meet and network with peers at the local, state, and national levels.
Students were also recognized for individual leadership achievements. Lydia Jahnke was elected as the 2026–2027 Nebraska FBLA-Collegiate Vice President of Communications, and Schuyler Heesacker was named Who’s Who for the Northeast chapter.
In competitive events, Northeast students earned top placements across a wide range of business disciplines:
- 1st Place – Entrepreneurship Pitch Competition: JennaRose Zierke
- 1st Place – Job Interview: Josalynn Amrine
- 2nd Place – Computer Applications: Kendall Batenhorst
- 2nd Place – Foundations of Digital Design: Elizabeth Valerio Chairez
- 2nd Place – Business Communications: Schuyler Heesacker
- 3rd Place – Community Service Project: Lydia Jahnke and Kelli Tunender
- 3rd Place – Management Case Competition: Kelli Tunender
- 4th Place – Management Case Competition: Rebekah Butterfield, Lydia Jahnke, Kaedence Louthan, and Mia McNutt
- 4th Place – Customer Service: Josalynn Amrine
- 4th Place – Marketing & Sales Case Competition: Kendall Batenhorst, Kennedie Gartner, Schuyler Heesacker, and Manaseh Liphuka
- 4th Place – Hospitality Management Case Competition: Josalynn Amrine
- 5th Place – Foundations of Hospitality Management: Josalynn Amrine
- 5th Place – Foundations of Technology: Noah Ferguson-Naranjo
- 5th Place – State of the Chapter Presentation: Schuyler Heesacker and Kennedie Gartner
“What stands out most is the growth we see in our students,” said Cara Hoehne, business instructor and FBLA-Collegiate co-advisor. “They’re not just competing, they’re learning how to communicate, adapt, and carry themselves professionally. Those are skills that go far beyond this conference.”
Experiences like these give students the opportunity to apply what they are learning in the classroom, build confidence, and gain a competitive edge as they enter internships and careers.
“When I graduate, the thing I will miss most is FBLA. This has opened up so many new doors of networking, jobs, and overall business experience,” said Kelli Tunender, Northeast FBLA student. “I didn’t think I’d enjoy competing in a club like this after high school, but it turns out it will be the thing I miss the most! FBLA has truly done so much for me, and I am so grateful. I also want to give a shoutout to our amazing advisors, Angie Shaffer and Cara Hoehne, they go above and beyond and we couldn’t ask for a better support system!”
FBLA-Collegiate at Northeast focuses on developing leadership, communication, and career readiness skills through hands-on experiences such as competitions, networking events, and community service initiatives. The chapter’s continued success reflects not only strong performance at competitions, but also a commitment to helping students grow into confident professionals
