MISSION — A Nixyaawii Community School student earned a state title at Oregon’s Future Business Leaders of America competition.

The state conference, April 3-5, had competitors from at least 50 high schools and middle schools across Oregon. Nixyaawii’s Malaeloa Malumaleumu, a sophomore, placed fifth in Introduction to Business Concepts and first in Introduction to Business Procedures.

Malumaleumu’s competitions took place remotely April 3; he had studied for months to take two proctored tests. He had 50 minutes to complete 100 questions, according to his Future Business Leaders of America advisor Christina Grace-Thomas, a teacher at Nixyaawii.

“They want to learn, they want to become the next generation of leaders, and I’m here to help in any way I can,” she said.

Twelve students compete in the school’s FBLA chapter, of which Malumaleumu is president. They each choose one or two areas to focus on during competition. The 2024-25 school year is the first time Nixyaawii has had a program, though Malumaleumu did participate on a team at a different school.

“I  feel like I’m just a cheerleader. They take all the ownership of all the work,” she said. “They’re pushing themselves. I’m not making anybody do any of these. They’re just studying on their own.”

Grace-Thomas said her role as advisor is mostly offering self-study support to the students. She added she’s heard from students who are excited for next year and plan to join the team again.

Between now and then, though, Grace-Thomas and her students are going to apply for grants and fundraise to send their state champion and advisor to the national competition in California. Grace-Thomas estimates it’ll cost about $6,000 in total to cover the cost of competing, travel, hotel rooms and meals.

To help cover the expense, the Nixyaawii FBLA team will be hosting a community appreciation meal and raffle open to the public on May 8 from 4-5:30 p.m. in the NCS Commons. Along with cookies and punch, the event will raffle off Mother’s Day-themed baskets with focuses on self care and wellbeing. Winners need not be present to win.

Grace-Thomas said anyone who wants to support their efforts to send Malumaleumu can contact her at cthomas@pendletonsd.org. They will be selling tickets starting mid-April.