Eleven students attended the National Leadership Conference (NLC) with the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) club. Junior Emily Jacobus, and now DV graduates Vanessa Paolella and Anthony Gosch, placed third in the nation for their Community Service Project.

“They [Jacobus, Paolella and Gosch] put a lot of time into the project and were blown away with happiness. We are hoping to continue the tradition next year,” said club adviser Mrs. Maura Angle.

The NLC’s location rotates every year, with last year’s being in Atlanta, Ga. This year, members had the opportunity to travel to Anaheim, California to take part in the conference.

The conference started on June 29 and ran until July 2. However, the students arrived a few days earlier to take in the sights of California. They visited Beverly Hills, Disneyland, the Dolby Theater and the Hollywood sign, to name a few locations.   

At the competition, members had to give presentations or take a test on the subject they had focused on the entire year. Then, they were either given a score based on their test or scored by a panel of judges.

Many people in DV’s FBLA chapter contributed to the Community Service Project, so members view it as a success for the chapter as a whole.

“The Community Service Project was something that a lot of people were a part of, so not only was it a reflection of Anthony, Emily and Vanessa, but on our chapter as a whole,” said senior officer Cindy Li.

Mrs. Angle was proud to see how deeply the project connected the members to the community, remarking how “they were truly and emotionally rewarded by the success of the project.”

“Being involved with this project has made me realize that our small actions can have such a positive impact on individuals and the community as a whole,” Jacobus said. “Not only have I gained a variety of valuable skills for the future, but I have realized how important it is to give back.”

At the NLC, students have the opportunity to attend workshops providing tips on college applications, interviews or speeches. This allows students to hear from business professionals and receive beneficial information from experts in that particular business field.

To start off this school year, DV’s FBLA chapter collected $419.53 for the victims of Hurricane Harvey.

“As a chapter we wanted to help out the victims because it is important to help out a community, even if it is not our own,” said senior officer Bryanna Rose.