Albemarle, N.C. — Seven Stanly Community College students represented North Carolina at the 2026 Future Business Leaders of America Collegiate (FBLA-C) National Leadership Conference, winning several top ten national placements and earning Stanly Community College (SCC) recognition as a 2026 FBLA-C Gold Seal Chapter.
Held in June at the Westgate Hotel and Conference Center in Las Vegas, the conference brought college students from across the country together for competitive leadership events, workshops, and networking opportunities with industry leaders. SCC’s students qualified for the national conference after winning state-level competitions in March.
FBLA-C is a national organization for college students interested in business, leadership, and public-facing careers. Through FBLA-C, students can compete in business events, community projects, build leadership skills, and connect with other students and professionals in the field.
Two of Stanly’s students, Hnuda Moua and Kieran Cason, represented North Carolina in FBLA-C’s Community Service Project event, where chapters showcase how their student-led projects addressed needs in their local communities. Their entry featured “Sugar, Spice, and Everything Nice,” a Christmas donation drive organized and led by the students and won the pair ninth place in the event. The project supported single mothers and children in Homes of Hope’s transitional housing program in Albemarle, North Carolina, with ready-to-bake cookie boxes that also included blankets and candles. Extra supplies collected through the drive were donated to SCC’s food pantry.
“Representing the state of North Carolina at the FBLA-C national competition was incredible,” said Cason, SCC chapter vice president. “Not only did I make new friends from all over the country, but I got to see parts of the U.S. I’ve never visited, attended engaging workshops, and competed alongside future leaders who share my desire to change the world. I am immensely grateful that SCC was willing to send our chapter to the National Leadership Conference, especially knowing that not every college is willing to do that.”
The conference marked SCC’s 50th national appearance since the chapter was chartered in 1974-75. Dan Hazlett, student life advisor, received an Honorary Life Member award in recognition of his 50 years of service with FBLA. Hazlett has served as the SCC chapter’s local advisor since its founding and has also served as North Carolina’s FBLA-C state advisor and state director for 14 years.
SCC students earned top ten placements across several competitive events. Dony Santos-Lambur and Helene Best placed ninth in State of the Chapter, while Santos-Lambur also placed fifth in Future Business Executive. Zoyla Rojas earned sixth place in Public Speaking, Judit Vasquez placed eighth in Emerging Business Issues, and Cason placed ninth in Parliamentary Procedure. Isaac Braham represented North Carolina in Impromptu Speaking.
FBLA Collegiate membership is open to all SCC students interested in developing business skills, participating in leadership programs, and gaining a stronger awareness of workplace professionalism. Students can learn more through the Student Life Center at Stanly Community College.