Marian Catholic High School’s Future Business Leaders of America recently competed in the 2021 FBLA Regional Leadership Conference. Twenty-six of the fifty-seven members participated.

Members choose from different events which require taking an objective test at our home school the week before the actual event or performing in front of judges in person. All members were invited to attend regardless of competition chosen, and 19 traveled to Susquehanna University on Dec. 17.

The day began with all regional schools welcomed by the Susquehanna University’s leaders Basil Holobetz and Patrick McCabe and were followed by this year’s keynote speaker of the conference, Dr. Matt Rousu, dean of Sigmund Weis School of Business and Professor of Economics at Susquehanna University.

The topic was “Learning Economics and Business Using Music, Movies, and TV.” This was followed by two workshops. The first, led by Dr. Mike Ozlanski, Associate Professor of Accounting at Susquehanna University, “Cash: Never Leave Home Without It!” questioned if it is better to go without cash by only using credit cards. The second, led by Dr. Jadrian Wooten, Associate Teaching Professor of Economics at Penn State University, “Understanding Economics Through a Love of Sport” related sports to economics while teaching the principles of economics.

Members competing this year and their event and place (if applicable) are: Addison Pan, Business Law; Alex Cornmesser, Agribusiness; Alysha Nunez, International Business, fourth place; Angela Pan, Business Calculations, first place; Ashley Pleban, Political Science, fourth place; Carly Minchhoff, Introduction to Financial Math; Devan Lin, Introduction to Financial Math; Hannah McGinley, Advertising; team of Hunter Gallagher and Ryan Berube, International Business, 3rd place; Lauren Reaman, Political Science, third place; Lizzie Snerr, Business Communication, third place; Lliam Sanphy, Personal Finance; Megan Reaman, Introduction to Business Communication, fourth place; Mia Rinaldi, Introduction to Business Communication; Morgan Kelly, Introduction to Financial Math; Samantha Hibbler, Introduction to Business Communication; team of Angelo Greek and Lachlan Segedy, Graphic Design, second place; Delaney Erickson, Introduction to Business Presentation, second place; Elizabeth Burket, Introduction to Public Speaking; Jarielys Nunez, Introduction to Business Presentation; Joseph Walko, Sales Presentation; Julia Meiss, Introduction to Public Speaking; Maura Kelly, Impromptu Speaking, second place; and Olivia Erickson, Public Speaking, first place.

Bella Lesante and Emily Eroh have also entered a PA FBLA State Only Event, Public Service Announcement and are awaiting the results of that submission. All place winners mentioned above are now eligible to attend the PA FBLA State Conference in Hershey in April.