University of Saint Mary FBLA Students Earn 64 Placements at State Competition, Advance to Nationals

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University of Saint Mary FBLA Students Earn 64 Placements at State Competition, Advance to Nationals

Mar 6, 2026

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(Leavenworth, Kansas) - The University of Saint Mary Future Business Leaders of America Collegiate chapter had all 20 of its students qualify for nationals after earning top-four finishes in the FBLA Collegiate State Competition on Feb. 28 at Emporia State University.

Saint Mary students earned 64 total placements, including 22 first-place finishes, in public speaking, business presentations, emerging business issues, and more.

"USM's chapter has experienced significant growth. In 2023, it consisted of just three active members, and now 20 students are competing at the state level," said Instructor of Marketing and Management Dave Pullin, who serves as the faculty advisor. "More importantly, those student leaders have built a culture of peer mentorship, consistent preparation, and a shared commitment to representing the university with professionalism and integrity."

The following Saint Mary students qualified for the FBLA Collegiate National Leadership Conference June 6-8 in Las Vegas.

Rylee Johnson, Kearney, Mo.
First - Business Presentation
Second - Business Ethics*
Third - Retail Management

Dawson Troth, Arma, Kan.
First - Impromptu Speaking
First - Emerging Business Issues*
Fourth - Business Ethics*

Hope Crabtree, Ottawa, Kan.
First - Public Speaking
Second - Emerging Business Issues*
Second - Impromptu Speaking
Third - Foundations of Communication
Third - Organizational Behavior and Leadership

Emma Murphy, Leavenworth, Kan.
Second - Organizational Behavior and Leadership
Third - Hospitality Management

Kathryn Cameron, Quenemo, Kan.
First - Parliamentary Procedure
Second - Emerging Business Issues*

Jacson Cruse, Basehor, Kan.
Second - Business Ethics*
Third - Project Management
Fourth - Cyber Security

Carter Smith, Kearney, Mo.
First - Business Presentation*
Second - Foundations of Hospitality Management
Second - Business Ethics*
Third - Foundations of Digital Design
Third - Foundations of Economics

Hank Lance, Leavenworth, Kan.
Second - Foundations of Technology
Second - Computer Applications
Second - Digital Design and Communications *
Third - Foundations of Computer Science
Third - Cybersecurity

David (JuJu) Roberson, Grain Valley, Mo.
First - Foundations of Computer Science
First - Foundations of Technology
First - Cybersecurity
Second - Digital Design and Communications Case Competition*
Third - Computer Applications

Aasean Whitener, Chattanooga, Tenn.
First - Finance Case Competition
Second - Supply Chain Management

Justin Johnston, Leavenworth, Kan.
First - Emerging Business Issues*
Fourth - Business Ethics*
Fourth - Sports Marketing and Management

Jonah McGivern, Platte City, Mo.
First - Business Presentation*

Izabelle Meza, Harrah, Okla.
First - Future Business Facilitator
Third - Future Business Executive
Third - Emerging Business Issues

Carlos Grimaldi, Miami, Fla.
First - International Business
First - Project Management

Dalton Kerns, Saint Joseph, Mo.
First - Hospitality Management Case*
Third - Foundations of Management
Fourth - Foundations of Economics

Colton Underwood, Signal Mountain, Tenn.
First - Hospitality Management Case*
First - Foundations of Hospitality Management
First - Supply Chain Management
First - Customer Service
Second - Business Law

Devin Watkins, Ozawkie, Kan.
First - Foundations of Selling
Second - Foundations of Economics
Third - International Business
Third - Foundations of Finance

Garrison Woodall, Decatur, Ala.
Third - Foundations of Selling
Fourth - Retail Management
Fourth - Supply Chain Management

Michael Gazzana, Las Vegas, Nev.
Second - Cybersecurity
Second - International Business

Adrian Seeber, Lynnwood, Wash.
First - Emerging Business Issues*
Fourth - Business Ethics*
Fourth - Project Management

* Team Presentation Event

The University of Saint Mary is a Catholic co-educational applied liberal arts university founded and sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. The University of Saint Mary main campus is located at 4100 South 4th Street, Leavenworth, Kan. USM-Johnson County, at 11221 Roe Ave., offers evening accelerated graduate and undergraduate degree-completion programs. The university also offers online programs. Visit stmary.edu for more information