Wallkill Valley FBLA takes first place

HAMBURG — Thirteen members of the Wallkill Valley Regional High School chapter of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) attended the 2016 FBLA National Leadership Conference in Atlantaa, Ga., June 27 to July 3.
Scott Mueller received first place for Who’s Who in FBLA and represented New Jersey in the State Parade of Who’s Who students at the National Conference Opening Session. This award honors FBLA members who have made outstanding contributions to the association at the local, state, and national levels.
The Wallkill Valley chapter received the 2016 Hollis and Kitty Guy Gold Seal Award of Merit in recognition and appreciation of the chapter’s active participation in programs and projects advancing the goals of FBLA-PBL.
Wallkill Valley FBLA also placed first in the nation for the school that raised the most money for the March of Dimes. Members hosted Super Night 2015 last November and raised $15,285. The chapter received a $1,000 Mission LIFT March of Dimes Grant, which will be utilized for Super Night 2016 that will be held at the high school on November 18.
Scott Mueller led the New Jersey contingency as the 2016-2017 New Jersey FBLA state president and was recognized at the Parade of States. He was assisted by the other state officers, including Anastasia Schroeder who currently serves as the New Jersey Northern Region Vice President. Mueller served as the campaign manager for Vanessa Ting, New Jersey’s candidate for National office. The Wallkill Valley members assisted at the campaign booth, and Ting was elected the 2016-2017 FBLA national secretary.
Members participated in various motivational general sessions and workshops in order to develop their leadership skills. Students competed in the following events: Job Interview – Vincent Limon; Sales Presentation – Samantha Hutnick; Local Chapter Annual Business Report – Scott Mueller; and Partnership with Business Project – Anastasia Schroeder and Tyler Small.
The following members participated in the Advertising Open Event: Connor Mendes, Lillian Pires, Eric Robertson, and Amanda Spindler. The National Leadership Conference and the active involvement in all FBLA activities have inspired Kyle McKenna, Lillian Pires, and Connor Mendes, 2016 graduating Wallkill Valley members, to promote a PBL chapter (collegiate level) at their respective colleges in the fall.
The FBLA members who attended are Kayla Bifano, Samantha Hutnick, Garett Koch, Vincent Limon, Jake Lonsky, Kyle McKenna, Connor Mendes, Scott Mueller, Lillian Pires, Eric Robertson, Anastasia Schroeder, Tyler Small and Amanda Spindler. Alexis Casella, FBLA member from Jackson Memorial High School FBLA, joined the Wallkill Valley group.
They were accompanied by Carol Jurkouich, FBLA adviser.