Marian Catholic's FBLA chapter recently participated in the Region 23 Conference at Susquehanna University. The objective testing for the conference was completed online at the individual chapter schools, while the performance events were held at the university.

While at the conference on Jan. 10, members participated in an opening session, voted for candidates for the regional office, and attended an awards session. The Tolerance Troupe of Selinsgrove High School was there to present their dramatic skits on cyberbullying and hurtful teenage relationships.Throughout the day, students attended three workshops presented by community business leaders and former FBLA members."From FBLA to State Senate" was presented by Dave Transue, who currently serves in the Pennsylvania State Senate.Senior supervisory special agent from the Office of the Attorney General, Craig LeCadre, spoke to the students about "Cyberbullying and Surfing Predators."Tammy Bonawitz, from the Keystone Staffing Services, gave a presentation on "Employers and You".Marian had 37 members participating in the conference, with many placing in the top of their category, and seven eligible and planning to attend the State Conference in Hershey in April.Competing members and results are as follows:Cassidy DeCosmo, Business Law; Faith Befano, first place, Introduction to Business; Tiffany Grutza, Emily DeSantis, and Olivia Wildoner, team event Business Ethics; Alex Hutta, Business Law; Geno Brady, Business Communications; Arianna Srinivasan, fourth place, Introduction to Business Communication; team of Ashley Fannick and Emily Fannick, Marketing.Also, Brianna Kubishin, Management Decision Making; Briana O'Donnell, second place, Global Business; MarySusan McAndrew, Public Speaking I; Emily Betterly, Management Decision Making; Samantha Faust, third place, Business Calculations; Mia Casale, fourth place, Personal Finance; Alexis Makowiec, third place, Sports Management; Christy Digiandomenico, Introduction to Business; Taylor Horvat, Introduction to Business Communication; Emily Burger, 2nd place, Global Business.Also, Timothy Miller, first place, Business Communication; Jessica DeLash, Public Speaking II; team of Christian Legath and Joshua Lex, first place, Management Information Systems; Joseph Letcher, Impromptu Speaking; EmmaRose Boyle, second place, Global Business; Monica Wasik, Business Math; Anthony Pilla, John O'Connor, and Logan Rutch, team event Entrepreneurship; Kimberly Wilson, Business Calculations; Amanda Srinivasan, Introduction to Business Communication.And finally, Nicholas Hopeck, third place, Introduction to Technology Concepts; Gabrielle Smith, Introduction to Business; Katelyn Smulligan, Job Interview. Also attending the conference were Jacquie Goulstone and Matthew Grega.Students who will attend the state conference include: Faith Befano, Samantha Faust, Alexis Makowiec, Timothy Miller, Christian Legath, Joshua Lex and Nicholas Hopeck.Teacher Trish Patton is the adviser.FBLA is a student-run organization that helps prepare students for the business world. The State Leadership Conference is one of the major events in the PA FBLA year in which members who qualify to attend participate in a variety of workshops throughout their two-day stay at Hershey as well as attempt to advance further in their category of competition.