Ryan Moerder, Matt Eckhart and Mason Smith like to think of themselves as the "brain, mouth and face" of Lehighton Area High School's Future Business Leaders of America team.

The trio made the most of their last event representing the school when they recently placed third in "Banking and Financial Systems" at the FBLA national competition in Anaheim, California.All three credit their friendship and diversification of knowledge with helping them succeed."We all kind of specialized in different areas and were able to harness that all together to get great results," Smith said.It's the first time in eight years Lehighton has had students qualify and attend the national competition and, according to advisers Kevin Kotch and Trevor Miller, the first time any Lehighton students placed at that level.The trip to nationals became possible after the team finished second in the state FBLA competition in Hershey earlier this year.By the time they reached California, most of the nerves had subsided."I was actually more nervous in the state competition because we hadn't qualified for nationals yet," Moerder said. "After that, we kind of knew what to expect in Anaheim. I was a lot more nervous waiting to hear our names called at the awards ceremony."Crossing the countryThe cross-country trip wasn't all business, however.Other stops included Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood, Knott's Berry Farm and the Hollywood Walk of Fame to name a few."We got a chance for exposure to a different culture," Eckhart said. "Yes it's the same country, but the people and the land itself is in stark contrast to what we are used to here in Lehighton."CelebrationIn a cellphone video captured by Kotch, team members are seen running through the hallway in excitement after receiving their trophy.That same enthusiasm was evident a week after returning home."I love Lehighton and to have everyone rooting for us. It was just such a great feeling," Smith said. "We weren't going to let them down. Everyone worked hard and it's great to be able to show that big things can come out of a small town."Immediately after the results were announced, a buzz began circulating on social media."People who never agreed on anything came together and supported us," Moerder said. "Our tweets were retweeted and I think we had a record amount of likes on our social media posts."Smith said he, Eckhart and Moerder were already good friends, but the FBLA experience only strengthened that bond."You learn a lot about each other when you live together for six days," Smith said. "We had some differences of opinion, but we were always able to come to a compromise, and I think that is what made us such a successful team."The trio's cohesiveness was not lost on their advisers, with Kotch noting, "this couldn't have happened to a better three guys.""These three guys worked so well together and represented their school, community and the FBLA organization in such a positive way," Miller said.Journey to nationalsThe journey was anything but easy, or cheap.Moerder, Smith and Eckhart had to raise around $1,000 each to make the trip a reality, leading to a fundraising tour that hit at least 40 area businesses.Among the top contributors were the Mauch Chunk Trust Company, which pitched in $2,000, and the Lehighton Orioles Nest 183 and Lehighton Education and Athletic Foundation, which each gave the students $1,000."We just want to thank everyone who has done anything to help us," Eckhart said. "We couldn't do this on our own. From teachers to the parents, advisers and sponsors, we got a lot of help and we're very fortunate for that."As the three graduates leave their high school careers, they're hopeful the FBLA success attained this year can be used as a springboard for future students."I hope future students saw this and realize, hey we can do this on the national level and not just make it, but place as well," Eckhart said. "The best thing that could happen is for us to have become role models. If the three of us could do it, imagine what the future holds for Lehighton FBLA."