Cadets Advance to 2021 State Future Business Leaders of America Competition  

On February 19, 2021, Missouri Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) announced district competition winners. Of the 16 cadets in Missouri Military Academy’s (MMA) FBLA chapter, 11 placed in the top 10 of their respective subjects and six will advance to the state FBLA competition in April (to be held virtually). See individual results below. 

Winning cadets placed at the top among their peers from competing schools within their district. For frame of reference, 19 other schools – amounting to hundreds of individual competitors – competed in the 2021 FBLA district competition, held virtually in February.  

According to MMA FBLA Chapter Advisor Keith Morgan, these results are a direct result of cadets’ hard work and commitment to preparation. FBLA cadets met several times, often on Sunday nights, to study and practice their events.  

“Quality time spent in these preparations is the real determinant factor in winning competitions. Some cadets tested for courses they are currently taking at MMA, and some seized the initiative and studied for subjects they were teaching themselves. Several sought personal coaching from MMA faculty,” said Morgan. “Our FBLA members know the demands of our rigorous schedule and choose to compete. Seeing their commitment deepens my admiration for these young men. They demonstrate real excellence.”  

Cadets interested in business are encouraged to join MMA's FBLA chapter each August, the beginning of FBLA’s season. In addition to being a valuable asset on a resume, FBLA offers educational, scholarship and travel (post-COVID) opportunities. 

The following are MMA’s results in the 2021 district FBLA Competition. Watch the full award video here.

First Place  

Damien Brown, Impromptu Speaking (State Qualified) 

(Team) Bilguun Erdenedavaa and Dylan Mugisha, International Business (State Qualified)  

Second Place 

Michael Henderson, Computer Applications (State Qualified) 

(Team) Fernando Afane, Nathaniel Balvanz and Dhalil Belko, Management Decision Making  

(Team) Matthew Larson and Alexander Thomas, Marketing 

Third Place 

Dylan Mugisha, Accounting II (State Qualified) 

Damien Brown, Economics (State Qualified) 

(Team) Matthew Larson and Alexander Thomas, Sports and Entertainment Management 

Fourth Place 

(Team) Damien Brown and Rene Garcia, Entrepreneurship  

Fifth Place 

Alexander Thomas, Accounting I (State Qualified)

Wildcard (placed high on online test) 

Braeden Andrews, Business Law (State Qualified) 

Seventh Place 

Braeden Andrews, Business Law (State Qualified) 

Braeden Andrews, Economics 

Eighth Place 

Matthew Larson, Insurance and Risk Management 

Ninth Place 

Fernando Afane, Economics  

Tenth Place 

Bilguun Erdenedavaa, Accounting I 

FBLA is the high school division of a career and technical student organization dedicated to preparing students for careers in business. The mission of FBLA is to “inspire and prepare students to become community-minded business leaders in a global society through relevant career preparation and leadership experiences.” There are more than 200,000 members in 5,200 FBLA chapters across the US and around the world. Learn more about FBLA here.