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Student Recognized for FBLA Involvement
- Sophia Fafard
- Mar 5
- 2 min read
Bismarck State College Student Alexis Ritzman received recognition for her involvement in the Future Business Leaders of America club on Dec. 10, 2025, at the Advanced Technology Center in the Live Event Venue. Ritzman was named the Outstanding Business Education Student for Region V from the Association for Career and Technical Education. CTE Director and Executive Officer Wayde Sick presented the award to Ritzman as a small audience attended the award ceremony.
Ritzman’s dedication and success in FBLA competitions contributed to her award, but her involvement in FBLA did not start until college, when her friend Medora Ellingson convinced her to join the club at BSC.
“My friend, Medora. She was in it for just a few years in high school,” Ritzman said. “When she came to BSC, she joined the chapter and she was the only member, and she convinced me to do it too. And so I've been doing it freely since my freshman year of college.”
Since then, Ritzman has attended FBLA competitions all over the United States. On Aug. 8, 2024, Ritzman competed in the FBLA National Leadership Conference in Orlando, Fla., and placed 4th in the Emerging Business Issues category. In June 2025, Ritzman placed 1st in the Emerging Business Issues category at the NLC in Dallas, Texas. Now, Ritzman is serving as Vice President of the North Dakota FBLA State Office and continues her role as FBLA Chapter President at BSC. These experiences with FBLA have allowed Ritzman to grow as a student and leader.
“It's helped me take on more responsibility and grow as a person—with leadership skills, so it's been cool,” Ritzman said. “I've made a lot of good friends, and I love my officer team.”
Not only has Ritzman connected with fellow business students through her involvement, but the club advisers have helped support Ritzman. BSC Professor of Cybersecurity and FBLA Co-Adviser Lynette Borjeson Painter was the one to suggest Ritzman apply for the ACTE award.
“I would not have gotten or, like, considered even applying for [the award] if it wasn't for Lynette Painter,” Ritzman said.
Painter supported Ritzman at the award ceremony and reached out to others, encouraging them to attend.
“Alexis is deserving of the award, and it recognizes her leadership, both at BSC and at the state level with the state of North Dakota FBLA,” Painter said.
Ritzman is set to complete her Bachelor’s in Finance, but is unsure where the future will take her after graduating. As she dives into her last semester, she continues to balance homework and FBLA. Ritzman stresses the importance of clubs like FBLA and encourages people to join.
“I think that if you're in a business program, FBLA can look really good on your application for jobs,” she said. “People don't realize that. I mean, here, it's not terrible, but if you go to a big city, your resume has to be top tier. [FBLA] can open job opportunities for you.”
FBLA continues to have monthly meetings with Ritzman as Chapter President. The club prepares for the upcoming national competition in Las Vegas, Nev. from June 6-8.
~ Page 5 of Mystician 87.10 ~
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