Community support needed to send students to FBLA National Leadership Conference
Viola High School’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter has made history.
At the 2025 FBLA State Leadership Conference held April 7–8 in Little Rock, Arkansas, Viola FBLA broke all previous performance records, earning its strongest showing in the program's history. Under the leadership of longtime adviser Kevin Thrasher, the chapter had an unprecedented 12 students qualify for the prestigious FBLA National Leadership Conference (NLC), set to take place in Anaheim, California, June 29–July 2.
To top off the achievement, Viola FBLA was nominated for national recognition as a Gold Seal chapter for the 2024–25 school year — a distinction reserved for the top-performing FBLA chapters in the country.
“This is a landmark moment for our school and community,” said Thrasher, who has guided Viola FBLA for the past 12 years. “We’ve never had more than four students qualify in the same year — this is truly a testament to our students’ hard work and commitment.”
State Winners Who Qualified for Nationals:
First Place Finishers:
Taylor Richardson – Introduction to Business Communications
Audrie Comstock – Introduction to Financial Math
Kara Moore – Personal Finance
Landyn Denwalt – Organizational Leadership
Meredith Deane – Securities and Investments
Kira Duncan – UX Design
Third Place Finishers:
Abby Perryman – Agribusiness
Noah Harber, Loren Todd, Aaysha Trueman – Introduction to Programming
Gold Seal Chapter Award Contributors:
Dana Wright and Joey Harber – Recognized for their work that contributed to the Gold Seal Chapter Award nomination.
A Call to Action: Help Send Viola FBLA to Anaheim
While this success is a cause for celebration, the next challenge is financial. Attending the national conference comes with significant expenses. Registration alone costs $195 per student, with $125 fees for the adviser and each chaperone. Additional costs for transportation, lodging, and meals are still being determined.
Viola FBLA is asking for community support to help make this opportunity a reality for these students.
“If you've ever wanted to make a lasting impact on a young person’s life, this is your chance,” Thrasher said. “These students have earned the opportunity — now we need to get them there.”
How You Can Help:
Donate: Call Viola High School at (870) 458-2213 and mention that you’d like to support the FBLA trip to Anaheim.
Participate in Fundraisers: The chapter will be hosting several events in the coming weeks. Your involvement and generosity are greatly appreciated.
Let’s rally behind these students who have proven that excellence lives right here in Viola. With your support, they can showcase their talents on the national stage — and continue to make our community proud.