May 13, 2007 4 min read

Ten Laurel Business Institute students entered the Pennsylvania Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) statewide competition and returned with five first-place and two second-place winners. The local students competed against two other two-year and several dozen four-year college and university students from all across Pennsylvania.

This year’s state winners are: Joe Byers, first-place in Computer Concepts; Sherry Harden and Courtney Fisher, first-place in Desktop Publishing; Kurt Paull and Jennifer Kisner, first-place in Digital Photography; Joe Byers, Mark Felgar and Jackie Hays, first-place in Network Design; Kurt Paull, second-place in Network Concepts; Mark Felgar, second-place in Word Processing; and for the Chapter Project the team earned first-place in Community Service.

The students were lead by advisers, Jo Anna Meese and Colleen Lancaster, both of whom are also LBI graduates and instructors.

The Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA- PBL) is the premier student business association. Its mission is to bring business and education together in a positive working relationship through innovative leadership and career development programs.

LBI students have, since 2002, earned 33 state and 12 national rankings. Past national winners include Kathy McIntire, fourth-place in Word Processing; Colleen Lancaster and Monica Lugo, third-place in Desktop Publishing; Amy Stone, third-place in Computer Applications; Colleen Lancaster and Kevin Ghost, first-place in Multimedia Presentation; Diane Martin, eighth-place in Word Processing; Kim Harden and Jessica Ritenour, third-place in Desktop Publisher; and Karrie Ball, Jennifer Hall and Tyler Rockwell, ninth-place in Multimedia Presentation.

“Our students always do an outstanding job, and this year was no exception. We are one of only three, two year schools competing against four-year colleges and universities. It is an honor to accompany our students and share in the honor and pride they bring to Laurel Business Institute,’ Meese said.

“Being on the participant side previously and now on the instructor side, our students get the core of their education from the first semester and continue fine tuning their knowledge throughout the time they are at LBI,’ Lancaster, said. Lancaster was a two-time Pennsylvania state winner and placed third nationally in Dallas in 2003 with teammate Monica Lugo in Desktop Publishing and was national first place champion in 2004 in Denver with teammate Kevin Ghost in Multimedia Design.

Sherry Harden, Phi Beta Lambda student president, said, “It has been such a great experience for me to participate in PBL over the last year. Being able to represent our school and interact with so many different people from all over the country has been some of the most rewarding and exciting times while a student at LBI.’

“The trip to the PBL conference in Harrisburg taught me how to put my skills I learned at school and at my internship to the test,’ student competitor Felgar said.

“After placing first in network design and second in Word Processing, I know that I can go into the real world with confidence in my skills,” he added.

Jackie Hays, LBI student competitor, added, “My experience that I had in Harrisburg for PBL was definitely a wonderful experience. I feel that competing greatly benefited me in a great learning experience and also on a professional level as well.’

“I joined (the PBL) my second semester when a group of members were traveling to Nashville, Tenn., to compete,’ Courtney Fisher, LBI student competitor, said.

“In September, Sherry Harden, the president, and I began a huge community service project. At first, our ideas poured out onto paper and we were determined to complete every one. The meaning of commitment came into true sight after this. In March, we began to prepare for state competitions in Harrisburg. I competed in desktop publishing and our community service project. “I’ve grown to be a more responsible individual with a better sense of commitment, thanks to Phi Beta Lambda. I’d recommend to any student to become a member. The growth inside as well as representing Laurel Business Institute is a feeling like no other,” Fisher said.