Two members of Pleasant Valley High School’s Future Business Leaders of America chapter visited the Monroe County commissioners at the beginning of their meeting on Wednesday.

Mira Giunta, the president of the PV-FBLA chapter, said, “Thank you for having us today, and we would like to thank you for recognizing Pleasant Valley School District FBLA chapter as an outstanding chapter in the PA FBLA organization, and proclaiming Feb. 11 to 17 as FBLA week in Monroe County. We are extremely honored to represent Monroe County in all our opportunities.”

At their meeting on Feb. 7, the commissioners had declared that week as FBLA week, and mentioned the chapters at Stroudsburg High School, East Stroudsburg Area School District, Pocono Mountain School District and Pleasant Valley High School.

Denise Hopely, the PV-FBLA chapter adviser and a business teacher, said they also wanted to share some news with the commissioners about a historic award they received last summer in Atlanta, Georgia. They received a third place international/domestic award for Gold Level National Champion Chapter at the FBLA Nationals conference. More than 6,000 international and national chapters attended the conference.

“PVSD forms the foundation of district curriculum for student enhanced opportunities exploring subjects through hands-on interdisciplinary activities,” Hopely said. “This award represents those statements with hands-on education opportunities outside the classroom enabling PV to be awarded this historic recognition.”

Commissioner Sharon Laverdure said, “I think it’s amazing that our PV chapter has a national award. It may be a first for our county. I’m sure they deserve it, and it speaks so very well of the guidance the students are receiving from their adviser.”

Lily Dannels, a member of the PV-FBLA and Laverdure’s granddaughter, said, “No matter the platforms or fulfilling the FBLA goals of education, progress and service, we proudly represent Pleasant Valley School District, community, Monroe County, Pennsylvania, and the USA. Together, we succeed.”

“I’m very proud of Lily getting involved with FBLA. I think it’s having a great impact on her wanting to own her own business someday,” Laverdure said. “I’m sure she is having a positive experience with the other students she is associated with, and this is so very important. It’s very good to be competitive, but it’s most important to work together in a competitive environment. That makes everyone stronger in what they do.”