Sixteen Future Business Leaders of America students from Panther Valley have advanced to the Pennsylvania FBLA State Leadership Conference in Hershey in April.

The students took tests in various business topics, presentations or work-related skills projects at the regional level and their scores allowed them to move onto the state level.

There will be approximately 4,500 delegates in attendance at the conference.

“This is the first time that Panther Valley FBLA has had this many members advance to the states,” Susan Solt, FBLA adviser, said. “I am very proud of all of the students’ efforts and achievements and with all of my students that competed at the regional level. I believe that our students earned their place to compete with the other state qualifiers with the chance to advance to the national level this July.”

Students who placed in competitions on the regional level include: Jason Lin, first in business calculations; Emily Evans, fifth in business calculations; Amanda Fegley, second in business communications; Noah Hess, second in cyber security; Tyler Nelson, fifth in cyber security; Christopher Walkinshaw, fifth in economics; Dakota Nedley, fourth in introduction to FBLA; Riley Wehr, third in introduction to parliamentary procedures; Claire Kokinda, fifth in journalism; Erica Tout, first in personal finance; Gianna Steber, second in word processing; Rachel Chuma, seventh in word processing; Hadassah Frey, second in client services; Caleb Knepper, third in impromptu speaking; McKenzie Cloutier and Katherine Fuos, third in business ethics presentation.

To help defray the cost of the conference, which will be approximately $9,500 for the students and Solt, the group is asking the community for help through donations and sponsorships.

Solt said the FBLA students have hosted various fundraisers throughout the year, but have not yet met their goal.

“As the school district does not help with any funding we are accepting donations and are grateful to the community for their continued support,” Solt said.

If you would like to help the Panther Valley FBLA, contact Solt at the high school at 570-645-2171 or mail checks payable to the PV-FBLA, c/o Susan Solt, adviser to Panther Valley Jr./Sr. High School, 912 Coal Region Way, Lansford, PA 18232.