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FBLA members attend leadership conference in Washington

| 13 Nov 2014 | 02:56
    Wallkill Valley FBLA members Scott Mueller and Cagney Conner hold the New Jersey FBLA banner to rally New Jersey members at the 2014 National Fall Conference.
    Wallkill Valley FBLA members Scott Mueller and Cagney Conner hold the New Jersey FBLA banner to rally New Jersey members at the 2014 National Fall Conference.
    Wallkill Valley FBLA members and other NJ members show their spirit and raise their star reflectors as they þÄúStep Up to the Challenge.þÄù
    Wallkill Valley FBLA members and other NJ members show their spirit and raise their star reflectors as they þÄúStep Up to the Challenge.þÄù
    Forty-five FBLA members from Wallkill Valley Regional High School stand on the steps of the United States Supreme Court while attending the 2014 FBLA National Fall Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C.
    Forty-five FBLA members from Wallkill Valley Regional High School stand on the steps of the United States Supreme Court while attending the 2014 FBLA National Fall Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C.
    The motivational speakers at the FBLA National Leadership Conference raised the spirits of Wallkill Valley FBLA members during a presentation.
    The motivational speakers at the FBLA National Leadership Conference raised the spirits of Wallkill Valley FBLA members during a presentation.

HAMBURG — Forty-five members of the Wallkill Valley Regional High School chapter of Future Business Leaders of America attended the 2014 FBLA National Fall Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. from Nov. 6-9.

Those members were Nicole Andretta, Connor Andrews, Samantha Apolito, Michael Armstrong, Katie Bertoa, Kayla Bifano, Fiona Brown, Taylor Carr, Kayla Cespedes, Gabriella Ciasullo, Cagney Conner, Alexis DeOliveira, Carly DeOliveira, Gina DiCristo, Patrick Endrikat, Rebekah Endrikat, Sydney Fackrell, Shannon Finigan, Sheridan Formoso, Madison Gerisch, Mackenzie Gibson, Randi Lyn Hornyak, Melanie Kardos, Ryan Kiritsis, Chloe Kopnik, Matthew Lattanzio, Vincent Limon, Emily Madden, Michael McCurry, Kyle McKenna, Marissa McKinnon, Scott Mueller, Anna Pirozzi, Kristina Pirozzi, Kali Radice, Madison Ryder, Sean Siek, Amanda Spindler, Destiny Van Orden, Emily Vanicek, Julianna Verso, Jaida White, Rachel Yellinski, Madison Yodice, and Alexandria Zeim.

They were accompanied by Carol Jurkouich, FBLA adviser, and Mr. and Mrs. William Swiss. The New Jersey FBLA state officers from Northern Burlington County, Union County Vocational-Technical, Hanover Park, South Brunswick, Jackson Memorial, Parsippany Hills, Salem, Franklin, and Randolph high schools joined the Wallkill Valley contingency.

Members participated in various motivational general sessions and workshops in order to develop their leadership skills. Wallkill Valley members “Stepped Up to the Challenge,” which is a reflection of the 2014-2015 national theme.

Josh Shipp was the keynote speaker for the Opening General Session. Also known as “The Teen Whisperer,” he is a former at-risk foster kid turned teen advocate. Students attended workshops that included “Choose More: Choose a Career with Meaning,” “How to Dress for Success,” “Get on the Fast Track with a Career in Accounting,” “All About You: Making a Good Impression,” “Start Small, Finish Big,” “Average is a Dirty Word,” and “SAT/ACT Strategy Session.”

Hoan Do, student success coach, author, and competitor on NBC’s hit show American Ninja Warrior closed the conference.

Wallkill Valley FBLA members also had the opportunity to network with members from states across the Nation as well as tour Washington, D.C., including the Capitol, the Supreme Court, the Holocaust Museum and the various other museums and monuments along the National Mall.