FBLA-PBL at FIU ranks third in the nation, scores individual successes at national leadership conference.

From left to right: Yainely Castillo, Daniel Weiland, Michael Angrand, Gabriel Constentino, Jesus Mendez, Alexander Alonso, Karina Hleuka, Angela Gonzalez, Brian Ceballos, Marisel Lavizzari, and Madeleine Rabi.

FBLA-PBL at FIU ranked third overall in the nation, with nine individual Top 10 finishes, as more than 200 college chapters and 1,800 college students traveled to Southern California for the Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) National Leadership Conference, held June 24–27 in Anaheim.

At the conference, themed Legacy of Leadership, students competed for over $95,000 in cash awards. Participants from across the United States attended the conference to enhance their business skills, expand their networks, and participate in 60 competitive events.

From left to right: Angela Gonzalez, Yainely Castillo, Madeleine Rabi, Marisel Lavizzari, Daniel Weiland, Jesus Mendez, Brian Ceballos, Elizabeth Alvarez, Albert Amaya, Michael Angrand, Gabriel Constentino, Alexander Alonso, and Karina Hleuka.

In addition to the third-place overall finish, Florida International University (FIU) chapter members received the following awards:

1st Place Accounting principles – Daniel Weiland
3rd Place Administrative Technology – Brian Ceballos
3rd Place Business Ethics – Marisel Lavizzari & Madeleine Rabi
3rd Place Integrated Marketing Campaign – Yainely Castillo & Angela Gonzalez
3rd Place Local Chapter Annual Business Report
4th Place Contemporary Sports Issues – Alexander Alonso
7th Place Administrative Technology – Karina Hleuka
7th Place Forensic Accounting – Daniel Weiland
9th Place Management Analysis and Decision Making – Michael Angrand, Jesus Mendez & Alexander Alonso

The awards were part of a comprehensive national competitive program sponsored by FBLA-PBL that recognizes and rewards excellence in a broad range of business and career-related areas. To earn third place, the FIU chapter submitted a report detailing its year in review, including its workshops, community service events, and accomplishments at the state level and at FIU.

“This was a great payoff for all the hard work we put in throughout the year,” said Brian Ceballos, an FIU chapter member who also serves as PBL state secretary. Noting that 10 out of the 11 FIU students competing at Anaheim received Top 10 honors in individual events, he added, “This also demonstrated how well the College of Business is preparing students, and what a great organization FBLA-PBL is to be involved with.”

In addition to competitions, students immersed themselves in interactive workshops, visited an information-packed exhibit hall, and heard from motivational keynote speakers on a broad range of business topics, including accounting, administrative technology and management decision making.

Madeleine Rabi and Marisel Lavizzari proudly displaying their award.

Albert Amaya and Elizabeth Alvarez from FIU received national recognition at the PBL Awards of Excellence Program on June 27 for serving as the National President and National Parliamentarian, respectively.

“After these great victories, we’re excited to start the year recruiting new members,” Ceballos said. “In the coming year we’re going to have a new focus on community service in addition to our professional development.”

Yanyn San Luis, interim director of alumni relations for the College of Business and PBL advisor, said, “Our FIU PBL has become known as an organization that drives its members to excel, bringing home well-deserved recognitions and making FIU Business proud. This year, they have continued that tradition.”