Saratoga graduate brings home second-place National FBLA trophy

Hunter Mason, a 2015 graduate of Saratoga High School, brought home a second place trophy from the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) National Convention in Chicago, Ill. that took place June 29-July 2.

Mason explained how he felt during the awards ceremony, "It was pretty nerve-racking. I was surprised they called my name honestly."

Students are allowed to compete in only one event at the national level. Mason competed in Computer Applications, an event in which a student takes a site test in their home town prior to the National Conference that is sent for judging. Once the student gets to Nationals, he then takes a 100-question objective test that is factored into the overall combined score with the site test. Mason created multiple Microsoft pieces for his event which included a Word document, two spreadsheets on Excel, a PowerPoint presentation and a database on Access.

In order to compete at the national level in FBLA, a student has to first qualify at the State Convention with his or her competitive events. Mason placed first in both Computer Applications and Word Processing as well as third in Electronic Career Portfolio at state.

The top three contestants in Mason's category received money along with their trophies, so he got to take home a little cash as well. Mason listened intently for his name to get called once he was on stage to see how he finished. It was bittersweet for Mason to get second place, "Once they announced that you're not third then you obviously want to get first."

Mason's father, Jared Mason, is the FBLA advisor for Saratoga. He explained what it is like to have his dad as an advisor, "It's motivating [having my father as the advisor] because he gets to be there when I go up on stage."

While in Chicago, the Saratoga FBLA members got to do some sightseeing around the Windy City. Mason was accompanied by his father/advisor, Jared Mason, his mother Valerie Mason and two other FBLA members from Saratoga, Katie Loose and Aaron Kerbs. Loose competed in Business Ethics and Kerbs competed in AgriBusiness in Chicago.

This year there were 18 active members in the Saratoga FBLA Chapter. They participate in activities throughout the school year such as their annual March of Dimes walk (a fundraiser for premature babies) and a highway cleanup just north of town.