From the State Leadership Conference in Orlando to the National Leadership Conference in Las Vegas, Pasco-Hernando State College's (PHSC) Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter is now the Florida Chapter of the Year, with two new FBLA State Officers and a trophy case to match.
PHSC's collegiate Bobcats placed at the state, national, and international levels throughout the year, earning a top-three finish for Largest State Chapter at the FBLA National Leadership Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, on the heels of being named Florida Chapter of the Year at the FBLA State Leadership Conference in Orlando.
Along the way, PHSC's delegation collaborated closely with fellow Florida institutions, including Florida International University, the State College of Florida, and the University of South Florida, building relationships that made the season's success even sweeter. Two PHSC members were also elected to incoming Florida FBLA State Officer positions, extending the chapter's influence into the year ahead.
3rd in the Nation: National Leadership Conference, Las Vegas
PHSC's chapter carried its momentum onto the national stage, placing among the absolute best chapters in the country, including a 3rd Place finish for Largest State Chapter in Florida:
2nd Place - Digital Design and Communications Case Competition - Kaylee Smith
2nd Place - Stock Market Game - John Lias, Elizabeth Capitoni, Mark Calderon, Tyrese Brown & Jacob Majorana
3rd Place - Largest State Chapter, Florida
5th Place - Outstanding Chapter Award - North Campus
6th Place - State of Chapter - Emmalise Feliciano & Krista Knowles
9th Place - Foundations of Computer Science - Amanda Campos
9th Place - Future Business Leader Executive - Krista Knowles
Top 12 State of Chapter, Pasco County - Teanna Hill
PHSC members also swept a full slate of Excellence Award distinctions, recognizing outstanding competitive individual testing performance:
Gold Distinction - Emmalise Feliciano & Krista Knowles
Silver Distinction - Kyla Flood
Bronze Distinction - Josbel Marcano-Reyes
Florida Chapter of the Year: State Leadership Conference, Orlando
At the Florida FBLA State Leadership Conference, PHSC's chapter was named Florida Chapter of the Year, the top honor awarded to the absolute best chapter in the state. Two PHSC students were also honored for their dedication and service as outgoing state officers: Krista Knowles, former Vice President of Membership, and Emmalise Feliciano, former Vice President of Finance. Megan Flavin was named Christopher Heider Scholar Honoree.
PHSC members turned in a wave of award-winning performances at the conference:
1st Place - State of Chapter - Emmalise Feliciano & Krista Knowles
1st Place - Future Business Leader Executive - Krista Knowles
1st Place - Public Speaking - Kyla Flood
1st Place - Digital Design & Communications Case Competition - Kaylee Smith
1st Place - Marketing & Sales Case Competition - Bryce Widman, David Hennes & John Lias
2nd Place - Customer Service - Josbel Marcano-Reyes
4th Place - Hospitality Management Case Competition - Elizabeth Capitoni & Michael Widman
4th Place - Foundations of Computer Science - Amanda Campos
4th Place - Parliamentary Procedures - Krista Knowles
4th Place - Business Presentation - Emmalise Feliciano
4th Place - Business Communications - Kyla Flood
4th Place - State of Chapter - Teanna Hill
Two PHSC members were also offered incoming Florida FBLA State Officer positions for the coming year: Krista Knowles as State President and Teanna Hill as Vice President of Membership.
Competitive wins weren't the only measure of the chapter's year. PHSC's FBLA members also organized a donation drive helping the Bobcat Food Pantry, PHSC's on-campus resource that provides food and essential items to students in need, stocking it with canned goods, toiletries, and pantry staples.