East High School students showcased tidal waves of talent this summer during one of the biggest business contests in the scholastic ocean.
Thirty-three students from East, North Star, Southeast and Southwest traveled to San Antonio for the 2026 Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) National Leadership Conference. They joined thousands of people at the convention, which featured competitive events, educational workshops, networking opportunities and certification programs.
Annabelle Kumm notably capped her East career with a second-place medal in the Future Business Leader (FBL) contest. FBLA leaders refer to FBL as the organization’s most prestigious event. FBL contestants are the final medal recipients announced at each year’s awards ceremony.
Kumm said she was elated to earn the prestigious honor. She served as FBLA national parliamentarian during the 2025-26 school year, which required her to have a full workload at the conference. She successfully balanced her responsibilities as national parliamentarian with the rigorous requirements of the FBL contest.
“As a national officer, the National Leadership Conference is our biggest event of the year, which means our schedules were just as packed,” Kumm said. “Running around the conference to help with elections, rehearse sessions and present workshops, my competitive event was just about the last thing on my mind. So, when I was called up on stage for the very last event, I was happily surprised. It was a great feeling to be handed a trophy surrounded by some of my greatest friends in the world. It is definitely a moment I will remember fondly for a long time.”
Lori Anderson-Stowe said she has been awestruck with Kumm’s achievements over the past four years. Anderson-Stowe advises East’s FBLA chapter and has worked with her on a wide range of projects, meetings and activities. She said Kumm’s maturity and dedication were evident to everyone in San Antonio.
“While she was competing, she was also greeting members, attending meetings, speaking at sessions and workshops and practicing for ceremonies,” Anderson-Stowe said. “Being able to place in FBL while being a national officer is a testimony as to how special and hardworking she is.”
After submitting a cover letter and resume, Kumm took a comprehensive exam that covered everything that could be taught either in a business class or found in FBLA guidebooks. She aced both the test and a separate preliminary interview, which landed her a spot among the contest’s top 16 candidates. She then shared her past experiences and future plans with a panel of judges in the final interview.
Kumm said she especially enjoyed working with the national team over the past year. Her main duty as national parliamentarian was to lead FBLA’s new partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association. She and her teammates developed more than a dozen national initiatives to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s. She also led a national fundraising campaign that netted more than $126,000 in donations.
“More than anything, I learned so much about community involvement and the importance of servant leadership,” Kumm said. “Large goals can only be achieved with the help of every member, no matter how small an individual action may seem. This experience has meant so much to me, and I’m so grateful to have been a part of the FBLA national team.”
Anderson-Stowe said she enjoyed watching Kumm help her fellow Spartans each day. She felt Kumm strengthened the entire group with her energetic and positive personality.
“On the local side, Annabelle ran fun and informative weekly meetings with our members,” Anderson-Stowe said. “Our chapter grew by over 20 members this last year, and a large part of that was due to Annabelle’s leadership. She has encouraged members to grow and take advantage of opportunities that FBLA has provided.”
Eight fellow Spartans also traveled to the conference. Brad Bobaru, Sukruth Jangala, Emily Kumm, Lucas Neamu, Joshua Ng, Shriish Sathish, Gabriel Wick and Arthur Yu competed in multiple events.
Bobaru, Jangala and Sathish finished in the top 16 spots of the Public Service Announcement category. Emily Kumm was also elected as vice president of the Nebraska FBLA organization for 2026-27.
East National FBLA Qualifiers
Data Science and AI: Arthur Yu
Future Business Leader: Annabelle Kumm (second place in nation, also served as national parliamentarian)
Introduction to Business Concepts: Gabriel Wick
Introduction to Retail and Merchandising: Emily Kumm (also elected 2026-27 Nebraska FBLA vice president), Joshua Ng
Public Service Announcement: Brad Bobaru, Sukruth Jangala, Shriish Sathish (top 16 in country)
Securities and Investments: Lucas Neamu
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