Two teams of Barton County high school students are in the process of receiving national attention for their accomplishments, and they have added county recognition to their successes, too.
The students from Ellinwood and Great Bend high schools were recognized by the Barton County Commission Monday when it officially began EHS \ GBHS FBLA National Awards Program Day.
Seven students from the two high schools are going to get national recognition from the Future Business Leaders of America.
According to information prepared for the commissioners, “FBLA is the largest business career student organization in the world. 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. 
“Five students from Ellinwood High School and two from Great Bend High School have earned entrance into that conference.”
Being recognized from EHS are Shelbi Trarbach, Kayla Schartz, Chelsea Churchill, Kit Felke and Rachel Morales. They are led by EHS teacher Lorei Betts.
From GBHS are Colton Lagerman and Dylan Dreiling, who are led by GBHS teacher Cody Lee.
According to information from the national organization’s website, “Future Business Leaders of America is a nonprofit education association with a quarter million students preparing for careers in business and business-related fields. The association has four divisions:
“FBLA is headquartered in Reston, Va., and organized on local, state, and national levels. Business teachers, advisers, and advisory councils (including school officials, businesspeople, and community representatives) guide local chapters. State advisers and committee members coordinate chapter activities for the national organization.
The national board of directors is comprised of local teachers, state educators, business leaders, and the division presidents.
Membership
“FBLA is the largest business career student organization in the world. The high school division has 215,000 members, while the postsecondary division reaches over 11,000 college students. Over 11,000 advisers round out the group. Exclusive membership and career recognition programs are designed for each division to provide additional personal and chapter development opportunities.”