Wrap up every class in a good high school curriculum, shake it up a bit, and you have the essence of FBLA in action. FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) is as interdisciplinary a club as you can find, especially in a small school like Shoshoni.
Traditionally, it’s within the realm of a high school business teacher to serve as an FBLA sponsor, but few things at Shoshoni High School are done in traditional fashion.
Rachell Rapp, a 2014 graduate of Riverton High School with an undergraduate education degree from the University of Wyoming and an MBA through Western Governors’ University, doesn’t have the typical course load of an FBLA sponsor.
She began her path with FBLA as a high school student, helping to reactivate the FBLA chapter at Riverton High School. She was active in FBLA, a national competitor, and the FBLA bug bit.
Her story was related in a video produced by one of her students, Corbin Brown, on Rachel’s experience with FBLA
FBLA is her passion, but teaching the hard sciences to Shoshoni students takes equal work and dedication.
“I teach biology, physics, human anatomy, forensic science, and rotate with dual credit college classes in chemistry and general science,” Rapp said.
She began her teaching and coaching career at St. Stephen’s and has been at Shoshoni for 10 years now.
Her diverse background is ideal for the multitude of things students can learn and compete in as part of FBLA
“Career and Technical Education (CTE) ties in well with FBLA,” Rapp said. “There are over 20 events FBLA students can compete in. Digital video, broadcast journalism, ag business, accounting, traditional journalism, real estate, sports and business plans.”
As she quickly listed just a few of the categories, it was clear that students in FBLA have many opportunities, opportunities that tie in well with the cross-disciplinary instruction that permeates Shoshoni High School.
“Kids can see what they might be interested in,” Rapp said. “At the very least, they learn productive skills.”
FBLA was a course within the traditional school day last year, but it’s now an extracurricular activity.
Rapp’s classroom is well equipped with work tables, a large high-definition screen in the front of the room, and a sprawling couch that students arrange their laptops and workbooks on to study.
Shoshoni has similar study areas dotting the hallways, foyers, and open areas throughout the building. You’d be hard-pressed to find them empty at any time during the school day.
While Rachel worked at her desk with Alexxis Bacon and Memphis Dolcater on a video project, Cambree Metzler and Addison Mason were practicing parliamentary procedure, gavel in hand and Robert’s Rules of Order on a laptop screen nearby.
“I like to learn about different business,” Memphis Dolcater said. “I’d like to start my own store for apparel and accessories, with an online component.”
Addison Mason has a different career goal, but it still fits within the FBLA framework.
“It’s in helping with sports,” Mason said. “Maybe an athletic trainer of a PT.”
Most high schools offer business classes with accounting and computer applications, but there is more to running a business than the nuts and bolts. Interacting with people is every bit as important as the product or services you’re selling.
“You get to learn about how to run a business socially,” Cambree Metzler said.
FBLA had nine members last year; there are 24 this year. The state competition will be held at the University of Wyoming’s College of Business, with 19 students from Shoshoni in attendance.
Rachel runs a ceramic business in Riverton and Memphis, and Alexis produced a video supporting it at a local Arts in Action Event.
“The original business that my mom started and I took over is Rapp It Up Ceramics. When I was in college, I created a branch off of the original business that I called RJR Ceramics and Gifts, though it is undergoing a rebrand to The Bookish Potter. We combine both mine and my mom’s business names when we do craft fairs and booths.”
Rachel’s mom, Phylinda Rapp, started the original business 30 years ago.
This production fell into the competition field of broadcast journalism.
The girls produced more of an awareness, public service video on cyberbullying with strong images and a great message.
Corbin Brown and Alex Brown made nationals last year in Anaheim, California.
This year the national FBLA event is in San Antonio. Look for Rachel and her students to make a strong showing against the best in the nation.
It’s just what they do at Shoshoni High School.