SIC Hosts Annual Business Skills Competition for Area High School Students
HARRISBURG, Ill. (March 20, 2019)— Gallatin County High School is the overall winner for the high school business skills competition at Southeastern Illinois College.
The event, held Feb. 28, included six categories for individual students to compete with their peers from other SIC district high schools. Those schools competing this year included Carmi-White County, Eldorado, Galatia, Gallatin County, Hardin County, Harrisburg, NCOE and Pope County.
Several of the events in this competition involve an objective exam while others have a hands-on component. The top two scorers from each event are recognized at the awards ceremony. Each high school can enter up to two students per event and the top score from each event is used to calculate the overall winner.
“The Business Skills Competition is a great way for us to learn more about future students and their plans after high school,” said business instructor, Kelsie Rodman. “It’s also beneficial for the students to see if they would be interested in a business or technology degree and to listen to guest speakers discuss topics that will relate to them in the future.”
In the accounting category, the 100-question test covers such topics as balance sheets, income statements, journal entries, adjusting and closing entries, normal balances, receivable, inventory and cash. Students are not allowed to use calculators or cell phones during the test. This section was only available to students who are enrolled in the first or second accounting course or have had at least one year of accounting. Kiley Brown of Gallatin County received second place, and Summer Adams of Hardin County took first.
The general business category covers budgeting, careers, economic systems, small businesses, marketing, and other business information. This event is open to students enrolled in General Business, Introduction to Business or Consumer Economics classes. Mason Marshall of Carmi-White County received second place while Madison Raymer of Gallatin County took first.
In the business presentation category, a two student team was given a topic and they were to use presentation software to deliver a six-minute presentation, and were required to wear business casual attire. This year’s topic was how to build your credit score for life’s future purchases. This category is judged by business professionals in the area. This year’s judges were Cameron Newbold with Edward Jones, Meghan Densch with Banterra Bank and Michael Stewart with Michael Stewart & Associates Financial Services. Kelsi Kessler and Alex O’Daniel of Carmi-White County were awarded second place while Abbie and Kallie Keasler of Gallatin County won first.
