Central FBLA chapter boasts state champions

Eight members of Valley Stream Central High School’s Future Business Leaders of America chapter competed at the FBLA State Leadership Conference on April 21 in Rochester, facing off against more than 800 business students from across the state in a variety of business-related competitions.

The group of career-oriented students fared well at the state tournament, with four of the eight finishing in the top two in their respective events. That qualified them to compete at the national championship this July in Nashville.

Mahrukh Paracha placed second and Christine Lim ranked third in their respective public speaking events. Both students prepared a speech underscoring FBLA’s nine goals. Paracha’s speech focused on the confidence FBLA has instilled in her, while Lim’s described her involvement in the club and its impact on her tenure at Central.

Lim said she had participated in a similar event in 10th grade, so it wasn’t too hard for her to step up her game at the states. “It was pretty much the same concept, but everyone was a little older and little more competitive,” Lim said. “Every couple of days I practiced my speech. I’ve been preparing since December.”

Seniors Chris Roberts, Korde Innis and Marcelle Little Dawes finished first in the team event, Emerging Business Issues. The competition required each team to prepare and present both sides of an argument on a controversial business issue, this year’s being the auto industry bailout.

Roberts — who has competed in this event at the state championship for the past three years — said placing first felt good, considering the first time he competed, he finished last. “I feel vindicated,” Roberts said. “To be there for three years, and now have the opportunity to compete at the nationals, it just feels great.”

Senior Alyna Van Dunk finished fifth in the Job Interview competition, and finished third in the team event, Digital Video Production, with Anna Okolo. For that event, students created and presented a short educational video on how to prevent retail theft. Van Dunk said this was her first year in FBLA and described the competition as a “punch in the face.”

“It’s a taste of the real world,” she said. “It was so intense. From the morning to night, you have to be as business professional as possible.”

FBLA advisor Bret Strauss said this year’s group was the most successful bunch he’s seen in eight years, and that they had one goal in mind: winning. “I’m real proud of them,” Strauss said. “We keep taking the next step and that’s the most important part.They’re a focused group. They wanted to succeed and they came home with a plaque.”

Roberts, Innis, Little Dawes and Paracha will represent Valley Stream and New York State when they compete at the nationals from July 14-18.