(April 20, 2009) The Stanly Community College (SCC) Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) chapter was named one of North Carolina’s best and the SCC Parliamentary Procedure team repeated as the state’s top performers at the conclusion of the recent PBL State Leadership Conference held at Charlotte’s University Place Hilton.

Stanly, Barton College, and Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College were awarded “Gold Seal Chapter” designations, the highest honor for chapters of the college business student organization.  These chapters will advance for consideration as national “Gold Seal Chapters,” an award SCC has received numerous times over the past several years.

The conference began with the announcement of the Terry Lowrance Leadership Award chapters, a recognition named in honor of a former state PBL adviser for chapters who achieved a list of 20 goals set by the state PBL officers.  SCC was among the 15 chapters receiving that honor, and the 17 delegates to the conference received special ribbons for their nametags.

Dawn Montoya, state president from Barton College, and Destiny Brown, state secretary from SCC, were among the state officers who presided over the conference.

During the business session, John Anderson from SCC was elected as state vice president for 2009-2010.  Serving as state president will be Jeremy May, a junior at Mount Olive College.

Mr. Anderson’s campaign was “John’s Not Joking!” and featured a booth and materials with graphics of the Joker from the recent Dark Knight movie.

Throughout the weekend various awards were presented, including the winners in the PBL competitive events program.  Mr. Anderson and Stephanie Roach were presented with pins and certificates for completing the national Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda Career and Membership Achievement Program (CMAP).  Ms. Brown received a certificate of achievement in the national “Membership Madness” recruitment activity.

SCC became the first chapter in the organization’s 55-year history to have four members inducted into “Who’s Who in NCPBL” in the same year.  Based on a point system for participation in local, state, and national activities, 15 members are named to the “Who’s Who” list.  Among the 2009 honorees were Mr. Anderson, Ms. Brown, Chapter President Cali Clay, and Darlene Alexander.

During a formal awards banquet on Saturday night, winners in various business and leadership skill events were honored.  Tests and performances had been held throughout the conference to determine the state winners that will represent North Carolina in national competition this June in Los Angeles, California.

The Stanly Parliamentary Procedure team was composed of Mr. Anderson, Ms. Clay, Ms. Roach, and R.J. Barbee.  It was Stanly’s fourth win in the past six years in the event and follows Eighth Place honors at last year’s national conference.

Also qualifying for national competition are Mr. Anderson in the Public Speaking event, Ms. Clay in the Future Business Executive event, Ms. Roach in Accounting Principles,  Jennifer Clack in Justice Administration, and Mark Mauldin in International Business.  Several students were among the “Top 8” in their events.

Destiny Brown and LaKeita Craig placed Seventh in Business Decision Making, an event based on both a written test and a presentation based on a case study given to them at the time of the competition.

Reggie DeCastro and Chandler Johnson placed Third in Desktop Publishing, Ms. Clack placed Third in Job Interview, and R.J. Barbee placed Seventh in Marketing Concepts. Alisha Chandler placed Sixth in Word Processing.

A Leadership Development Seminar was held throughout the weekend, and students who participated received certificates.  From SCC, these included Debra Tucker, Darlene Alexander, Mark Mauldin, Alisha Chandler, and Jennifer Clack.

Among the seminar series leaders were representatives of the newly-opened Jesse Helms Center on Free Enterprise issues, SCC Director of Student Support Services Gilbert Umberger on stress management, and Stanly Regional Medical Center Director of Disease Management/Health Promotion Margaret Rudisill on workplace wellness.  The conference program included keynote speakers from Lowes Companies and Keller Realty managements.

During a “Parade of Chapter Presidents” at the beginning of one of the general sessions, chapter advisers celebrating anniversary years were recognized.  Merlin Amirtharaj and Dan Hazlett were honored for 15 and 35 years, respectively, as local chapter advisers.

Judging competitive events throughout the weekend were over 50 Charlotte-area business leaders and former competitive event winners.  These included SCC alumni Rick Gardner, former state president and Manager of Store Merchandising at Food Lion corporate offices; Nancy Honeycutt, Nations Bank in Charlotte; Tonya Beach Gelbach, 1984 state and national Job Interview event winner; Carolyn R. Laudati,  former PBL state president; and Lori Dixon, a former state officer now with City Bank in Lexington.

Also serving as a judge was Uwharrie Capital Corp Executive Vice President Tamara Singletary, former state and national Future Business Executive event winner while president of the Appalachian State University PBL chapter.  Stanly County was also represented with delegates and event winners from the Pfeiffer University chapter.

“On behalf of the College trustees, faculty, and staff, it’s always a pleasure to congratulate our PBL chapter on their success at the state level,” SCC President Dr. Mike Taylor commented.  “We are proud of their accomplishments in competitive events, and we are especially pleased when our students take key state leadership roles.  As the chapter celebrates its 35th Anniversary this year, we look back on many success stories and students who have taken key roles in business, education, and government following their training at SCC and in student activities such as our outstanding PBL chapter.”