Valley City State University Hosts 33rd Annual Emerging Leaders Competition with Over 550 DECA and FBLA Students Competing

Okay, here’s a summary of teh results from the Emerging Leaders Competition, organized by event. I’ve compiled the winners (1st, 2nd, and 3rd place) from the text you provided.

Overall Top Schools

1. Mandan High School
2. Grand Forks Red River
3. Fargo Davies

Individual event Results

* Quiz Bowl

1. Fargo North Team 2
2. Devils Lake

* Accounting Test

1. Nate – may-Port CG
2. Mason Schun – Drake-Anamoose
3. Bode Mostad – May-Port CG

* Hospitality Test

1. Alex Chislii – Mandan
2. Kaisa Tompkins-West Fargo & Megan Hillman – West Fargo Sheyenne
3. Eli Erichsen – Fargo North; Kellen Westman – Valley City; Emily Krueger – West Fargo High

* Agribusiness Test

1. Ethan Matejcek – Lakota
2. Chase McDonald – North Wood
3. Grayson Uglem – North Wood & Sophia Beck – Lakota

* Business Communications Test

1. laura Steffan – Lakota
2. Olivia Calney – Fargo North
3. Kyler Moen – Devils Lake

* Business Ethics Test

1. Austin Helblins – Mandan
2. Elizabeth Pinke – Hatton
3. Reese Giese – West Fargo sheyenne

* Business Law Test

1. Sundriana Shane – Mandan
2. Clara Onkenbaur – Bowbells
3. Kaitlyn Desmarais-Fargo North

* Economics and Personal Finance Test

1. David Ha – Fargo Davies & Brynn Field – Sheyenne
2. Rylan Wamstad – Hatton
3. Emline Brinks – mandan

* Entrepreneurship Test

1. Nolan Roy-Tougas – Fargo South
2. Bridger Fewson – Mandan
3. Brady Demers – Fargo north

* Marketing and Management Test

1. Emma Klein-SRCTC- wahp
2. Braden ficklin-Mandan
3. Grady Mueller- Central Cass

* Computer Problem Solving Test

1. Cooper Handly – Hatton
2. Ashton Zimprich – Hatton
3. Sawyer Froemke – Lisbon

* Job Interview

1. Isabelle Nelson – Finley-Sharon
2. Benjamin Allen – Mandan
3. Isabelle mckay – Fargo North

* Unexpectedly

1. Kalleen Love – Drake-anamose
2. Keira Matejek – Hunger

* FBLA Business Management Role-Play

1. Kiaza Carlson,Hudson Zerface – May-Port CG
2. Aubry vorele,Cailey Herold – Mandan Senior
3. Brinley Vocke – Hazen

* FBLA Sports and Entertainment Role-Play

1. Teagan Fagerstrom-Llewelyn,Abby Zander – Mandan Senior
2. Olson Affairs,Jacey Vig – Finance-Sharon
3. Jordyn Bittner,hayden enger,Blake Qual – Lisbon

* FBLA Marketing role-Play

1. Drew Burries,Berit Hilmer,Akika Milligan – Fargo North
2. Jaidyn Roder,Abby Sand – May-Port CG
3. Mia Hozak,Zoe Hozak,Ashley Hsu,– Fargo Davies

* FBLA Entrepreneurship Role-play

1. Bridger Fewson,Sundriana Moncada – Mandan Senior
2. Emline Brincks,Bergan Wilkens – Mandan Senior High
3. Evelyn Isaac – Drake-anamooosse

* Principles of Business Management/Administration Role Play-Section 1

1. Fon Dong – Grand Forks
2. Eff Hanswer – Grand Forks
3. Reid Giese – West Fargo

* Principles of Marketing Role Play,Section 1

1. Abby Wasness – Devils Lake – LACTC
2. Caleb Wild – Grand Forks Red River
3. Teagan Saastad – Devils Lake – LACTC

* Principles of Marketing Role Play,Section 2

1. Brady Rosten – grand Forks Red River
2. Bryce Mueller – Central Cass
3. Gabby Wadeson – Valley city

* Principles of Hospitality role Play-Section 1

1. Addison Arends – West Fargo
2. Billy Enget – Devils Lake LACTC
3. Abigail Jankowski – Grand Forks Red River

* Principles of Hospitality Role Play-Section 2

1. Layla Lopez – West Fargo Sheyenne
2. Elizabeth Rust – Fargo Davies
3. Jaylee Gerszewski – Minto

* Accounting Applications Role Play

1. Lindy Oster – Mandan High School
2. Drake Nostrum – West Fargo Sheyenne
3. Colby Ebling – Fargo South High School

* Apparel & Accessories Role Play

1. Chassidy Rodacker – Devils Lake LACTC
2. Ella Yahna – Grand Forks Red River
3. Haylee Erickson – Mandan

* Business Services Role Play-Section 1

1. Grace bugbee – Mandan
2. Abby Baukal – Fargo South
3. Jack Sorby – Valley City

* Entrepreneurship Role Play-section 1

1. Brady Demers – Fargo South HS
2. Micah Two Bears – Mandan
3. Shyanne Ell – Mandan

Let me know if you woudl like me to analyse this data in any way (e.g., which school won the most individual events, etc.).

What are the benefits of participating in VCSU‘s Emerging Leaders Competition?

Valley City State University Fuels Future Business Leaders: 33rd Annual Emerging Leaders Competition Recap

Valley City State University (VCSU) recently wrapped up its 33rd Annual Emerging Leaders Competition, a important event for aspiring business professionals. This year’s competition, held on January 30th and 31st, 2026, saw over 550 students from DECA and FBLA chapters across the region converge on the VCSU campus to test their skills and network with peers. The event underscores VCSU’s commitment to fostering the next generation of leaders in business, marketing, finance, and entrepreneurship.

Competition Overview: DECA & FBLA in Action

The Emerging Leaders Competition is a cornerstone event for both DECA (Distributive Clubs of America) and FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America). These organizations prepare students for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, management, and international business. The competition at VCSU featured a diverse range of events, categorized to assess different skill sets.

* Role-Playing Events: Students demonstrated their abilities in real-world scenarios, such as sales presentations, customer service interactions, and negotiation tactics. These events are crucial for developing dialog and problem-solving skills.

* Written Events: Participants tackled complex business challenges through detailed reports and presentations, showcasing their analytical and research capabilities. Examples included business plans, marketing strategies, and financial analyses.

* Objective Tests: Assessing foundational knowledge in business principles, these tests covered areas like accounting, economics, and management.

* Team Events: Collaborative challenges requiring students to work together, fostering teamwork and leadership skills. these frequently enough involved case studies or simulations.

VCSU’s Role as a Host & Educational Partner

Valley City State University’s involvement extends beyond simply providing a venue. The university’s faculty actively participate as judges, offering valuable feedback and mentorship to the students. This interaction provides students with insights from experienced professionals and helps them refine their skills.

VCSU’s business and economics programs are specifically designed to align with the skills emphasized in DECA and FBLA competitions.The university offers:

1. Bachelor of Science in Business management: A thorough program covering core business principles.
2. Bachelor of Science in Economics: Focusing on economic theory and its application to real-world problems.
3. Minor in Marketing: Providing specialized knowledge in marketing strategies and consumer behavior.

These programs prepare students for successful careers and provide a natural pathway for those who excel in competitions like the Emerging Leaders Competition.

Impact on Student Development: Beyond the Awards

The benefits of participating in events like the VCSU Emerging Leaders Competition extend far beyond the awarding of trophies and recognition.Students gain:

* Enhanced Communication Skills: Presenting ideas, engaging in role-playing, and writing reports all contribute to improved communication abilities.

* Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving: Analyzing case studies and responding to challenging scenarios sharpens critical thinking skills.

* Leadership Development: Team events and individual presentations foster leadership qualities.

* Networking opportunities: Connecting with peers, judges, and industry professionals expands students’ networks.

* Real-World Experience: The competition simulates real-world business challenges, providing practical experience.

Notable Performances & Award Winners (2026)

While a full list of winners is extensive, several standout performances highlighted the level of talent on display.[Note: Specific winner details would be inserted here if available – this section would be updated with actual results post-competition]. Preliminary reports indicate strong showings from north Dakota DECA chapters, with Bismarck High School and Century High School students earning multiple top-three finishes.In FBLA, schools from Minnesota and South Dakota also demonstrated significant competitive strength.

The Growing Importance of Business & Leadership Education

The continued success of the VCSU emerging Leaders Competition reflects the growing emphasis on business and leadership education at the high school and collegiate levels. Employers are increasingly seeking candidates with strong analytical skills, communication abilities, and a demonstrated capacity for leadership. DECA and FBLA, coupled with programs at universities like VCSU, play a vital role in preparing students to meet these demands.

future Outlook: Expanding the Competition’s Reach

VCSU is actively exploring ways to expand the reach and impact of the Emerging Leaders Competition.Potential initiatives include:

* Increased Scholarship Opportunities: Providing financial assistance to outstanding competitors.

* Expanded Event Categories: Adding new events to reflect emerging trends in business and technology.

* Virtual Competition Options: Offering online participation opportunities to students who cannot travel to VCSU.

* Industry Partnerships: Collaborating with local businesses to provide internships and mentorship opportunities.

Resources for Students & Educators

* DECA: https://www.deca.org/

* FBLA: https://www.fbla.org/

* Valley City State University Business Programs: https://www.vcsu.edu/business/

* Google Maps – Valley City State University: https://support.google.com/maps/?hl=en-GB (for campus navigation and event location)