Dawson County High School's Future Business Leaders of America chapter was awarded first place for Region 9 last month.

While at the FBLA regional competition Jan. 20 students competed in 41 different events including public speaking, marketing, finance and technology.

More than 20 students placed and will compete at the state level in March.

Dianne Mayfield, work-based learning coordinator and FBLA leader at Dawson County High School, said the students gave an "outstanding performance."

Numerous students received first place recognition for business competitions, including: Hannah Velcoff and Tara Orr in marketing, Chris Bywaltz in business calculation, Becca Monkus in computer applications, Luke Branson and Logan Lewis in entrepreneurship, Kara Hafermalz in introduction to business communication, Craig Butler in introduction to technology concepts, Lyric Baty, Hannah Velcoff and Larry Florentine in management decision making, Cole Simmons in public speaking I and Maddia Alvarado in future business leader.

Dawson County's Cole Simmons serves as the Region 9 student officer and Mayfield believes he did "a fantastic job" at the conference.