April 22, 2021

Five advance to national FBLA competition

Five Upper St. Clair High School students placed in the top four in their respective events at the Future Business Leaders of America State Leadership Conference – qualifying to compete at the National Leadership Conference.

• Mahir Parmar, grade 9: Introduction to Business, first place
• Vidhur Senthil, grade 11: Personal Finance, first place
• Rushikesh Kulkarni, grade 11: Public Speaking, second place
• Aubrey Lang, grade 11: Hospitality & Event Management, fourth place
• Nivedha Suresh, grade 11: Hospitality & Event Management, fourth place

The students were recognized during a virtual awards program, which was broadcast on April 13, 2021.

“With everything going on this year for the students to take it upon themselves to learn the information for these events and compete is astounding,” Pat Manion, high school social studies teacher and FBLA sponsor, said.

The FBLA National Leadership Conference is set for June 29-July 2. The event will be held virtually due to the ongoing pandemic.

Although they did not qualify for nationals, 17 additional students finished in the top 10 in their respective events. 

• Sujay Shah, grade 11: Computer Problem Solving, fifth place
• Abelardo Sobarzo, grade 12: Graphic Design, fifth place
• Anthony DeNoon, grade 11: International Business, fifth place
• Andrew Rosello, grade 11: International Business, fifth place
• Shane Williams, grade 11: International Business, fifth place
• Alex Belback, grade 12: Network Design, fifth place
• Parth Patel, grade 12: Network Design, fifth place
• Ben Bacdayan, grade 12: Banking & Financial Systems, sixth place
• Sujay Banerjee, grade 12: Banking & Financial Systems, sixth place
• Harrison Chui, grade 12: Banking & Financial Systems, sixth place
• Carter Chui, grade 10: Business Ethics, sixth place
• Phillip Markovitz, grade 10: Business Ethics, sixth place
• Benjamin Wasson, grade 10: Business Ethics, sixth place
• Matthew Earley, grade 10: Introduction to Business Communication, ninth place
• Alyana Childs, grade 11: Social Media Strategies, ninth place
• Anya Ekbote, grade 11: Social Media Strategies, ninth place
• Carmella McNally, grade 11: Social Media Strategies, ninth place

FBLA is a nonprofit educational association that prepares students for careers in business by helping them develop leadership abilities, and prepare for entry into, and advancement within, a business or business-related occupation.