The FIU chapter of Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL) has been named 2019 Chapter of the Year at the organization’s State Leadership Conference in Orlando, one of numerous top honors captured by the team at the March 28-31, 2019 competition.
The team, with the guidance of FIU Business faculty advisor Yanyn San Luis, placed first in the Local Chapter Annual Business Report event. Out of the 14 individual FIU competitors, eight qualified for a spot at the national FBLA-PBL competition in San Antonio in June. Two members, meantime, were elected to the state leadership board. Kelly Fuerte was elected state president and Madeleine Rabi was elected state parliamentarian.
“It was a successful competition,” said senior Chris Chamorro, FBLA-PBL FIU vice president of competitions. Among other competing schools; University of Florida, Florida State University, St. Thomas University and the University of South Florida.
Some of the events, Chamorro noted, involved hour-long, 100-question exams. Others included a case presentation, where competitors were given 20 minutes to read a case study and present it to a panel of judges.
“Yanyn was great at giving us guidance on how to navigate something that could seem like an additional class, and really make it a fun learning experience,” said Chamorro, who placed first and third in separate competitions. “It was definitely inspiring to see how much I’ve learned and how my skills and experiences ranked compared to other schools in the state of Florida.”
After the strong showing in Orlando, FIU students are getting ready for nationals in San Antonio. Advisor San Luis couldn’t be prouder.
“Our FIU PBL has become known as an organization that drives its members to excel, bringing home well-deserved recognitions,” she said. “This year, they have continued that tradition in Florida – and we’re looking forward to great success at Nationals.”
San Antonio-bound
FIU PBL members who took first, second or third place in individual and team categories at the state level are eligible to compete at nationals in San Antonio.
First Place:
Microeconomics – Lianne Montenegro
Project Management – Madeleine Rabi
Forensic Accounting – Claudia Naverrete
Human Resource Management – Christopher Chamorro
Future Business Executive – Brian Ceballos
Second Place:
Administrative Technology – Margarita Bellon
Business Communication – Margarita Bellon
Computer Concepts – Hasmaik Estevez
Cyber Security – Hasmaik Estevez
Entrepreneurship Concepts – Kelly Fuerte
Marketing Concepts – Kelly Fuerte
Global Analysis & Decision Making (Team) – Lianne Montenegro, Kelly Fuerte
Third Place
Personal Finance – Lianne Montenegro
Organizational Behavior and Leadership – Christopher Chamorro
Retail Management – Madeleine Rabi
Business Presentation – Marisel Lavizzari
