![\"From](\"https:\/\/biznews.fiu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/FIU-FBLA-PBL-ranks-third-in-the-nation.jpg\" "\\"FIU")
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\u201327 in Anaheim.<\/p>\n
At the conference, themed Legacy of Leadership, <\/em>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.<\/p>\n
![\"From](\"https:\/\/biznews.fiu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/FIU-FBLA-PBL-students.jpg\" "\\"From")
In addition to the third-place overall finish, Florida International University (FIU) chapter members received the following awards:<\/p>\n
- \n
- 1st Place Accounting principles – Daniel Weiland<\/li>\n
- 3rd Place Administrative Technology – Brian Ceballos<\/li>\n
- 3rd Place Business Ethics – Marisel Lavizzari & Madeleine Rabi<\/li>\n
- 3rd Place Integrated Marketing Campaign – Yainely Castillo & Angela Gonzalez<\/li>\n
- 3rd Place Local Chapter Annual Business Report<\/li>\n
- 4th Place Contemporary Sports Issues – Alexander Alonso<\/li>\n
- 7th Place Administrative Technology – Karina Hleuka<\/li>\n
- 7th Place Forensic Accounting – Daniel Weiland<\/li>\n
- 9th Place Management Analysis and Decision Making – Michael Angrand, Jesus Mendez & Alexander Alonso<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"Angela](\"https:\/\/biznews.fiu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Angela-Gonzalez-and-Yainely-Castillo-225x300.jpg\" "\\"Angela")
Angela Gonzalez and Yainely Castillo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was a great payoff for all the hard work we put in throughout the year,\u201d 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, \u201cThis also demonstrated how well the College of Business<\/a> is preparing students, and what a great organization FBLA-PBL is to be involved with.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Madeleine](\"https:\/\/biznews.fiu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Madeleine-Rabi-and-Marisel-Lavizzari-225x300.jpg\" "\\"Madeleine")
Madeleine Rabi and Marisel Lavizzari proudly displaying their award.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter these great victories, we\u2019re excited to start the year recruiting new members,\u201d Ceballos said. \u201cIn the coming year we\u2019re going to have a new focus on community service in addition to our professional development.\u201d<\/p>\n
Yanyn San Luis, interim director of alumni relations for the College of Business and PBL advisor, said, \u201cOur 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.\u201d<\/p>\n