The Jersey Shore Future Business Leaders Association chapter at Jersey Shore High School has had a memorable year, not just because of the COVID-19 pandemic but something more positive and outstanding. They have built a record of excellence for themselves not only locally but at the national and statewide levels as well.

Dolly Oden, a business teacher at Jersey Shore High School and advisor to the Jersey Shore FBLA chapter provided Webb Weekly with the following information about her chapter’s accomplishment this year.

The chapter and students won numerous awards and represented their chapter, school, and community

A thee FBLA State Leadership Conference that was originally scheduled in Hershey on April 7 to 10, but was changed to a virtual conference with winners being announced on May 15. Jersey Shore’s Max Ferguson welcomed everyone to the online awards program serving as PA FBLA President. This was Max’s third year serving as a state officer. Jersey Shore FBLA had 67 students qualify for the State Leadership Conference with 23 students placing in the top 10 of the state with 14 of those students qualifying for the virtual competition, the National Leadership Experience, which was originally scheduled in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The awards that Jersey Shore FBLA received, included, First place in Community Service Project. The chairpersons were: Max Ferguson, Stephanie Steinbacher, and Lexey Cohick. This project focused on the #weSHOREcare Food Drive which included the 9,520 donated food items, 463 community service hours, 1000 donated meal boxes, and the $15,945 donated to The New Love Center and $12,000 donated to the Northcentral YWCA.

The chapter received a First in Partnership with Business Project

Chairpersons were: Alexa Greevy, DJ Steinbacher and Stephanie Steinbacher

The purpose of this project is to learn about a business through communication and interaction with the business community. JS FBLA partnered with the Nippenose Valley Village and developed a store for the residents that is solely operated by FBLA members and volunteers. All proceeds benefit the #weSHOREcare project.

Wyatt Buss received a Second Place in Client Service
• Branden Wheary got a Second in Accounting II
• The Team of Max Ferguson and Micah Worth –2nd in Computer Game and Simulation Programming –This event tests the programmer’s skill in designing a functional interactive simulation/game that will both entertain and educate the player.
• The team of Jaydyn Doebler-Miller, Luke Maneval, and Blaine Mann received a Second in Marketing
• The team of Taylor Fleming, Brianna Rogers, and Arizona Shreck placed Third in Social Media Campaign.

Other Jersey Shore Top 10 Winners include: Robert Parker, Fith in Accounting II, Katelyn Doebler, Sixth in Business Law, Jersey Shore FBLA as a chapter placed Sixth in American Enterprise Project. The chairperson was Samantha Machmer. This project focused on teaching the pillars of the American Enterprise system to students through the implementation and running of a coffee shop in the high school library. This chapter event requires the chapter to develop a project that increases the understanding of and support for the American Enterprise System. The JS FBLA has partnered with the Life Skills Class and the high school library to develop the Dawg Pound, a coffee shop where students are learning how to develop, operate, and manage a business.

Other individual winners are: Hannah Wool, Seventh in Graphic Design,
Ellie Graff, Eighth in Computer Applications, Breanna Porter, Eighth in Introduction to Parliamentary Procedure, Corina Sarge, Ninth in Digital Video Production. This event requires the creation of a video promoting a new discount airline that serves the states surrounding Pennsylvania. The video also had to promote the new airline, including a theme/slogan, information about flight schedules, and a description of the frequent flyer program.

The Jersey Shore FBLA received a Ninth in Local Chapter Annual Business Report. The chairperson was Lexey Cohick. This comprehensive report details all of the activities, management, awards, and community service that the Jersey Shore FBLA Chapter participated in during the 2019-2020 school year.

Carolyn Wacker received a 10th in Accounting I. Dustin Stoetzel, 10th in Introduction to Business Procedures.

PA FBLA presents the Who’s Who in PA FBLA awards and William Selden Scholarships to the top 15 members in the state based on up to four years of involvement with Pennsylvania FBLA. Jersey Shore had two of the 15 top
members in the state. Max Ferguson – Second in Who’s Who in PA FBLA including a $1,000 scholarship and Stephanie Steinbacher – Sixth in Who’s Who in PA FBLA including a $500 scholarship.

The Pennsylvania FBLA selects an annual State Project that all chapters across the state can participate in to provide community service hours and raise money throughout the school year. The 2019-2020 project was the American Heart Association with PA FBLA raising over $44,600 with Jersey Shore FBLA raising $303.98 for the cause. FBLA prides itself on the Community Service hours that members continue to donate to various organizations throughout the school year. FBLA members are challenged to provide community service that impacts their community providing necessary volunteers for a variety of events.

In addition, the entire Jersey Shore FBLA Chapter placed 5th in the William Selden Outstanding Chapter Criteria , which is an honor that demonstrates tremendous planning, hard work, and commitment to the ideals of FBLA. This is especially impressive when you consider there are almost 300 local PA FBLA chapters with approximately 13,000 members across the state. This award recognizes the Top 10 chapters at the State Leadership Conference based on the chapter’s efforts in the following categories: 1) Membership; 2) Public Relations; 3) Chapter Management; 4) Professional Development; 5) Leadership Development; 6) School and Community Projects; 7) Financials; 8) Conferences and Workshops; 9) Competitive Events.

Oden also announced that Steinbacher, Goodall & Yurchak was recognized as the PA FBLA Business Partnership of the Year for PA FBLA. The firm consistently supports our projects and partners with Jersey Shore FBLA members providing co-op opportunities, educational experiences, funding, and internships.

“We are so proud of all of our FBLA members and look forward to Nationals! It is exciting to offer the opportunity for our students to apply skills they have developed in the JSASD to their future educational, career, and personal goals,” Oden said.