Students from the Penn State York FBLA Collegiate group show off the awards they earned at the national conference that took place in Orlando, Florida at the end of June.
YORK, Pa. — The Penn State York Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Collegiate group claimed 16 national awards at the leadership conference that was held in Orlando, Florida, June 24-27. To compete at nationals, students had to place first through fourth place in a presentation event or exam at the state competition in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, which took place on April 13.
“[Our students’] dedication and hard work [has] truly paid off, showcasing the excellence and spirit of Penn State York,” said Megan Lorenz, assistant teaching professor of business and FBLA adviser. With this year’s 16 wins, Lorenz has now seen students earn 237 FBLA awards throughout her 14 years as the club’s adviser.
Upcoming president of the York chapter, Polina Bolotnikova, earned first place in the finance case category. She described the experience as “a lot of fun and great professional development.”
The other first-place winner from Penn State York was first-year biology student Ezequiel Adames, who earned the top spot in marketing, sales and communication.
Penn State York first-year student Ezequiel Adames (front right) accepts the first-place award for marketing, sales, and communication.
National competition winners
1st Place – Finance Case Competition
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Polina Bolotnikova
1st Place – Marketing, Sales, and Communication Case
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Ezequiel Adames
2nd Place – Business Ethics
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Ryan Dellinger
2nd Place – Emerging Business Issues
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Ryan Dellinger
2nd Place – Foundations of Entrepreneurship
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Nakhaiya Jacobs
2nd Place – Management Case Competition
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Nhi Nguyen and Katelyn Ottaviano
3rd Place – Foundations of Finance
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Gabe Snediker
3rd Place – Future Business Executive
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Rebecca Mauck
4th Place – Business Ethics
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Lawrence Williams and Kavya Shah
5th Place – Foundations of Accounting
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Gabe Snediker
5th Place – Foundations of Hospitality Management
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Chase Wentz
8th Place – Entrepreneurship Pitch Competition
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Rebecca Mauck and Polina Bolotnikova
9th Place – Foundations of Finance
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Nakhaiya Jacobs
9th Place – State of the Chapter Presentation
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Ryan Dellinger, Rebecca Mauck, and Polina Bolotnikova
10th Place – Foundations of Accounting
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Neeraj Patil
10th Place – Foundations of Technology
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Neeraj Patil
Networking in a magical place
The highlight of the trip for many students was a networking event held at Disney World’s Epcot Park after the competition, organized by Iona Conlon and Di Hershey, the development and alumni relations team at Penn State York. This event gave students a chance to meet with Penn State alumni who lived in the area, many of whom were Disney employees. It also gave students like Chase Wentz, who is a freshman and new to the FBLA chapter, a chance to branch out and meet new people.
“[The national leadership conference] made me more comfortable meeting new people and networking.” said Wentz, who added that the experience gave him the chance to meet the chapter members. “Already, I’m having a blast with everyone."
The networking event concluded on a waterfront patio where the group watched the Epcot fireworks display and shared in a "WE ARE" chant.
Funds to send the group to state and national FBLA events came from the Women’s Philanthropic Network, the Graham Fellows Program for Entrepreneurial Leadership, the campus Student Activity Fee, and the Penn State York Academic Affairs office.
