BHS grad places at national FBLA conference

Mallory Bailey topped off her year of serving as state Future Business Leaders of America president, a first for a Baker High School student, with what is thought to be another first for the BHS organization.

Bailey, a 2010 graduate, placed fourth in the sports management competition at the FBLA National Leadership Conference in Nashville, Tenn.

Bailey said she was examined on her knowledge of contract law, sports, finance and marketing in a 100-question objective test.

“It was a really, really great experience,” Bailey said Tuesday of the conference, which ran July 10-18. “It was a great way to end my four years in FBLA.

“It was an honor to represent not only Baker FBLA but Oregon FBLA on stage. I was proud to be successful in an event where the corresponding field is traditionally male-dominated,” she said.

Tori Wirth, another 2010 BHS graduate, nominated Anthony Bailey for the Outstanding Business Person of the Year award. He is the chief financial officer for the Oregon Trail Electric Consumers Cooperative.

Wirth served as the 2009-10 Blue Mountain Region vice president on the state leadership team with Mallory Bailey, and was this year’s BHS Chapter president.

In her letter nominating Anthony Bailey for the honor, Wirth praised him for his efforts to help retain state funding for Career and Technical Student Organizations.

He began working to help retain funding in June 2009, Wirth wrote.

“He immediately contacted senators and representatives of the Oregon Legislature asking for their support as well as the opportunity for Oregon FBLA to petition financial support for their cause.”

Because of her father’s action, Mallory Bailey as FBLA state president, was allowed to give a two-minute presentation “regarding the importance of the FBLA’s presence in Oregon and the difference it is making in the lives of students across the state,” Wirth wrote.

Anthony Bailey also was asked to join the Board of Trustees because of his support of FBLA.  As a member of the state officer team, he helped provide transportation for his daughter and Wirth as they traveled throughout the state, Wirth said.

“Regardless of his demanding occupation, Anthony finds a way to make time for FBLA,” Wirth stated.

Anthony and his wife, Katherine, joined the BHS team at the national conference as chaperones.

In addition to Mallory Bailey, BHS also was represented by Bailey’s younger sister, Amanda Bailey, who is the Baker Chapter’s incoming executive vice president and will serve on the state leadership team as the Blue Mountain regional vice president in the coming year; Rachell Knadle, Baker Chapter president; Jessilyn Sayers, Chapter vice president; and Wirth.

They were among 168 Oregon students who joined 7,500 others from throughout the country to be “Simply the Best” in leadership development, networking and international competition, according to a press release announcing the state winners.

Only the top 3 percent of high school students had the opportunity to attend the conference and compete in the events, the release said.

“FBLA provides amazing opportunities for students and has opened up a new career field for me to explore,” Mallory said in reflecting on the national conference.

She expressed appreciation to the Baker City businesses that helped fund the team’s trip to Nashville. They were Best Western, P&E Distributing, Black’s Distributing, Betty’s Books, Soroptimist of Baker City, Guyer & Associates and Edward Jones.

Bailey, who is working at the Eltrym Historic Theatre this summer, will attend Oregon State University at Corvallis in the fall where she plans to study finance and accounting.