Future Business Leaders Chapter Earns Chapter of the Year Award at State Leadership Conference

Students from Carmel High School’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) student-organization are in the business of earning top placements in competitions – and they succeeded.

The Carmel High School chapter sent 17 students to attend the recent New York State FBLA State Leadership Conference in Rochester, where the chapter was awarded the prestigious honor of Chapter of the Year for the entire state.

"We are very excited about the Chapter of the Year honor,” said Mary Odell, Career and Technical Education Department chair and FBLA student organization adviser. “It is not only the highest award to earn, but also the biggest trophy presented.”

FBLA members with awards

In addition to the Chapter of the Year award, Carmel High School students earned top spots in in the following areas:

  • Accounting II: Tayte Wong, Grade 12 (5th place)
  • Agribusiness: Tayte Wong, Grade 12 (5th place)
  • Banking and Financial Systems: Stephen Karyotakis, Grade 10 (4th place)
  • Electronic Career Portfolio: Sloane Hazzard, Grade 12 (2nd place)
  • Graphic Design: Michael Signorile, Grade 10, and Ryan Pavone, Grade 10 (5th place)
  • Introduction to Decision Making: Samantha Cardinali, Grade 10 (4th place)
  • Introduction to Emerging Business Issues: David Victory, Grade 10; Stephen Karyotakis, Grade 10; and Jayden Sleight, Grade 10 (3rd place)
  • Introduction to FBLA Exam: Samantha Cardinali, Grade 10 (1st place)
  • Introduction to FBLA Creed Speaking: Ava Florez, Grade 10 (1st place)
  • Introduction to Public Speaking: Ava Florez, Grade 10 (2nd place)
  • Marketing: Shaniya Wesley, Grade 10, and Olivia Murillo, Grade 12 (3rd place)
  • Organizational Leadership Exam: Riley Ward, Grade 11 (3rd place)
  • Outstanding First Year Member: Jayden Sleight, Grade 10 (2nd place)
  • Public Speaking: Annabelle Gesson, Grade 12(4th place)
  • Publication Design: Olivia Murillo, Grade 12 (5th place)
  • Sales Presentation: Annabelle Gesson, Grade 12 (1st place)
  • Social Media Strategies: Annabelle Gesson, Grade 12 (3rd place)

Additionally, Sophomore Justin Sleight earned the first-place title for Outstanding Intern and FBLA Adviser Mary Odell earned the Advisor of the Year title. 

“The students had a lot of fun and learning how to compete,” said Odell. “They worked hard leading up to the competitions and continued to work hard during the week of competition.”

The chapter and its members also brought home several Program of Work awards for Program of Work for miniature projects that the students worked on over the course of the year. Program of Work awards included:

  • Motivated Connections: Jack Curtis, Grade 12 (1st place)
  • Future Framework: Ava Florez, Grade 10 (2nd place)
  • Collect the Change: Carmel High School Chapter (2nd place)
  • Member Montage: Carmel High School Chapter (3rd place)
  • Rebuild and Reflect: Carmel High School Chapter (3rd place)

Sophomore Ava Florez was also accepted as a member of the New York State Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Honor Society.  Membership in the honor society is one of the highest honors that can be awarded to a high school member of the New York State FBLA and recognizes students that uphold academic excellence while displaying positive character, leadership, and service as a member.

“FBLA is a safe space where I can explore my professional side and establish connections by collaborating with fellow members,” said Florez. “I could not be more grateful for the opportunities that this organization has given me, and I am excited to continue my journey as a proud member of FBLA.”