PBL members qualify for nationals

Saturday, the group is hosting an “All You Can Eat” pancake feed at the Chadron United Methodist Church from 7 to 10 a.m. to help with travel expenses to nationals. More information about this fundraiser and other events can be found on the CSC Phi Beta Lambda Facebook page.

Nine members were in attendance: Stephanie Alfred of Mitchell, Neb., Kelsey and Leyna Brummels of Ewing, Neb., Morgan Carrico of Craig, Colo., Troy Fields of Halsey, Neb., Kaylee Gaswick of Chadron, Drew Kasch of Highlands Ranch, Colo., Jenna McBride of Victorville, Cal., and Molly O’Connell of Belle Fourche, S.D. Also attending the competition was Todd Jamison, assistant professor in the Business Academy, who received Adviser of the Year.

This was Jamison’s second year of involvement with PBL and his first in the role of CSC’s adviser. He said he was surprised by the award.

“This is an incredible honor, to say the least. I didn’t do it alone, though. The CSC PBL leadership team is top-notch. The students are some of the best and brightest I’ve had the privilege of teaching and mentoring over the years,” Jamison said.

The group earned 29 individual and team awards. PBL also claimed three chapter awards: Golden Excellence, Largest Professional Division Members, and third place in Local Chapter Annual Business Report.

The CSC chapter members earned 12 first place and five runner-up trophies. Alfred took home three championships: computer concepts, information management, and network concepts. She also received recognition for fifth place in computer applications. O’Connell placed first in marketing concepts and in organizational behavior and leadership, second in entrepreneurship concepts and third in desktop publishing. She also serves as a state officer.

Seven competitors earned trophies and certificates in tests taken prior to the competition. They are Kelsey Brummels, third in computer applications, Leyna Brummels, third in business communications and fourth in cost accounting, Teryn Blessin of Waverly, Neb., first in justice administration, Fields, third in statistical analysis, Mikayla Gallagher, of Spearfish, S.D., second in justice administration and fourth in international business, and McBride, fifth in management concepts.

In team events, Kelsey Brummels and Carrico earned the runner-up spot in the network design role play event. The two were given a case study 20 minutes before they were required to make a six-minute presentation. In another team role play event, Gaswick and Leyna Brummels won the gold in forensic accounting.

Kasch and Fields took first in integrated marketing campaign. Kasch won second in job interview, first in impromptu speaking, and second in marketing analysis and decision making.

Besides competitions, accomplishment awards were given to members who demonstrated extraordinary dedication and involvement in their chapters. The Who’s Who in Nebraska PBL chapter honor was awarded to Gaswick and O’Connell. Kelsey Brummels received the statewide freshman-sophomore involvement award and O’Connell earned the honor for junior-senior involvement.

“I’m incredibly proud of our group. They did a fantastic job. I couldn’t imagine a better group of people to take this journey with,” O’Connell said.

PBL is the collegiate version of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and offers students career preparation, networking and leadership development opportunities. This is the second year the club has competed at state since its reactivation in 2014.

“We’ve had amazing support from our administration and local community to make competing at state and nationals over the last two years possible. We’ve made a huge impact in a short period of time, which really goes to show how truly excellent our students and business program is at CSC. We look forward to representing the best of what CSC has to offer this summer in Atlanta,” Jamison said.