The Barton County Commission Monday morning approved a proclamation honoring Ellinwood and Great Bend high school students in the Future Business Leaders of America Career and Technical Education Student Organization.
The FBLA is the largest business career student organization in the world, said Lorie Betts, Ellinwood FBLA advisor. The FBLA’s National Awards Program recognizes and rewards excellence in a broad range of business and career-related areas.
Through state-based competition, students test their business knowledge and skills. Those students excelling are then invited to attend the National Leadership Conference. County students attending the national convention are Jenna Collins, Sam Kline-Martin and Cody Woodruff, directed by Ellinwood High School teacher Lorie Betts, and Greg Burley, Alejo Carbajal, Morgan Choitz, Grant Harris, Colton Lagerman, Sara McAfee, Jami McVay, Sarah Niederee, Zachary Reyonolds and Alec Witt, directed by Great Bend High School teacher Cody Lee, who was unable to attend the meeting. 
The proclamation declared Monday as EHS \ GBHS FBLA National Awards Program Day.
The members will be headed to Anaheim, Calif., next week for the competition. It will include 50-60 events ranging from tests to presentations by students from schools of all sizes.
“Barton County is honored to have such great students,” Betts said. The programs in the two communities work closely with one another, operating almost as one unit.
Niedree, who spoke on behalf of the GBHS squad, said in addition to nationals, she serves as the state FBLA president and Reynolds serves as the state District 5 vice-president.
It costs about $1,400 each for the kids to attend the convention, Betts said. So, the clubs hold numerous fundraisers.
The Great Bend students held a “color run” this past weekend which attracted 500 runners. Ellinwood held a hamburger feed during June Jaunt.
“We are very proud of you and very impressed,” said Commission Chairman Don Cates.