MANCHESTER – On March 20 and 21, students from West High School and Manchester School of Technology took part in the Future Business Leaders of America State Leadership Conference.
The annual conference is an opportunity for students from across the state to take part in business-related competitions, engage with workshops, listen to guest speakers and even run for state chapter office positions. Top finishers in competitive categories also qualify to participate in the national conference. West advisor Debbie Stratton and MST advisor Michelle McGee shared the following updates from the state conference:
Prakriti Ghalley, West High, competed in Digital Video Production and earned 2nd place, she now qualifies for Nationals in Anaheim, California this summer
Deepasha Giri, West High, was re-elected as a State Officer for the 2025-2026 school year.
Waad Mohamed, West High, competed in Introduction to Public Speaking and placed 3rd, she now qualifies for Nationals in Anaheim, California this summer
Okiyanaeh Neptune, West High, competed in Digital Video Production and earned 2nd place, she now qualifies for Nationals in Anaheim, California this summer
Nistha Prasai, West High, competed in Electronic Career Portfolio and earned 2nd place, she now qualifies for Nationals in Anaheim, California this summer and was elected as a State Officer for the 2025-2026 school year.
Kaydance Jones, MST, (also Manchester Proud's favorite social media intern) competed in Broadcast Journalism and earned 1st place, which qualifies her to compete for Nationals in Anaheim, California this summer.
Alivia Babine, who attends West High School, and is also enrolled in MST's Business CTE program, competed for MST in Banking & Finance, and earned second place, which qualifies her to compete for Nationals in Anaheim, California this summer.
Muhannad Al Abrash, MST, competed by presenting his original business plan, and earned third place in this highly competitive category, which qualifies him to compete for Nationals in Anaheim, California this summer.
In addition to the individual achievements, West’s chapter also won the following awards:
GOLD Seal Chapter (first one in school history!!!)
Honor Chapter
State Chairperson Award (for our participation in State Officer projects)
Placed 2nd in the Hope for a Cure State Officer Project
Advisor Debbie Stratton was named Local Chapter Advisor of the Year