Businesses shoot hoops for FBLA

Photo courtesy of Laura Hilzendeger

FIFE HIGH SCHOOL 2010 FUTURE BUSINESS LEADERS OF AMERICA.

This year at Fife High School (FHS), more students than ever before have qualified to go to the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) state competitions in Yakima this April. But to get there, they need to raise money and that’s where the community comes in.

On March 20, the Fourth Annual FHS FBLA & Milgard Woodclad Basketball Tournament will be held in the high school gymnasium. The event promises to be a highly enjoyable time for both participants and spectators alike. This is FBLA’s biggest fundraiser of the year. The state conference cost per student is $180.

Started in 2006 as an FBLA fundraiser created by Milgard Windows and Doors human resources employees Denise

Caldwell and Heather Monti, the tournament quickly grew into a full-scale event for which Milgard is now the sponsor. The two women thoroughly enjoy it.

“I can’t even explain how much fun we have every year,” Caldwell said. “Our company is a big believer in giving back to the community that helped make Milgard what it is today.”

This is a 5-on-5 tournament with teams of at least five but no more than eight men and/or women. Up to now the teams consisted of Milgard employees, but this year the court is being opened up for other businesses in the Fife/Milton/Edgewood area to participate.

“This year we’re trying to expand it and take the tournament to the next level, and the best way to do that is to involve the community,” Caldwell explained.

The registration fee is $200 (with an auction basket donation), and is tax-deductible since FBLA is a non-profit organization. Raffle/auction donations, such as gift certificates and merchandise, are also being sought out at this time and are also tax-deductible.

While Caldwell and Monti continue to lend their energies and leadership to the tournament, the nuts and bolts work of planning and running it has been turned over to the young FBLA members as an opportunity for them to exercise their skills in communication, teamwork, and to establish relationships with local businesses.

Teachers Christian Thomas and Laura Hilzendeger are the FBLA advisors at Fife High, both of whom have led their students to achieve impressive heights of success in FBLA over the years.

“This is an opportunity for our (FBLA) officers because we put them in charge of everything,” said Hilzendeger, who is also the FBLA Professional Division president. “Put-ting on an event like this is no easy task.

“The great thing about this basketball tournament is that it’s an awesome way for students to see community people who have kids and jobs come together on a day off and have a real bonding experience. It’s great for the students to see that there’s more to a job than just going to a job.”

Senior Henry Frentress, FBLA vice-president of events, is in charge of the overall event. He oversees other FBLA members who themselves are in charge of putting it all together – getting referees and score keepers, lining up uniforms, and stocking and running the refreshments stand, just to name a few of their responsibilities. “What started out as a fundraiser has now evolved into a ‘business’ for FBLA and (the members) really get a chance to use their business skills,” according to Caldwell.

With 53 members this year, the Fife High FBLA is poised to really make an impact at state this April. To reach the state competition, the students had to earn their way by scoring high at the regional competitions, which they clearly did, winning 25 individual awards and 10 team awards.

Winning teams in the basketball tournament receive a trophy “and bragging rights,” Hilzendeger said.

Businesses wishing to put teams together for the tournament or that would like to donate to the auction and raffle should telephone Hilzendeger or Thomas at (253) 517-1100.

The tournament begins at 8 a.m. on March 20 in the Fife High gymnasium.

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