President: Nao Valentino
Vice President of Community Service: Christine Lazzari
Vice President of Membership: Meghan Towers
Secretary: Phil Gold
Treasurer: Chris Dieck
Reporter: Joe Pizzuti
President: Nao Valentino
For myself, FBLA has meant more than 4 simple letters. I have gotten out of FBLA exactly what I have put into it. Because of this, I have met so many wonderful people, I have met so many wonderful people, participated in countless activities and attended numerous exciting conferences. FBLA has presented so much opportunity to me, to travel, to learn, and to better myself. As I look back, I am extremely grateful for all that FBLA has given me and I am so glad that I joined when I did. If you invest your time into FBLA, it will deliver dividends that are ten fold what you would have ever expected.
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Christine Lazzari:
Vice President of Community Service
What have I gotten out of FBLA? That's a hard question to answer. I guess I'll start by letting you all know who I am and how I got involved in with the club to begin with. I am Christine Lazari, your FBLA Vice President of Community Service, but I didn't start out there. I didn't even know the club existed at the beginning of my freshman year. I learned about the club because of my best friend, Nao Valentino (you know her as Madam President). I saw how active she had become in such a short period of time, and how enthusiastic she was about what she had accomplished.
Through much persistence on her part, I began to attend events in May of 1997. Within the following months I went to every activity; I had found the club for me. By September, I was awarded the Most Active Member Award. That year I worked on the (2nd Place) Chapter Business Display as a Junior officer, and concluded the year as the newly elected chapter Historian.
Although I regret Joining the club late, I would not give up the experiences for anything. The greatest lesson I have learned is that a sure thing never exists. At the 1999 State Leadership Conference, I ran for New York State Historian. I thought I had the election in the bag. You should have seen my campaign, (I am darn proud of it to this day). By the request of Mr. Brooks, the theme was Winnie the Pooh. What does a cuddly bear have to do with business? Well when you say "Christine's Hunny Pot of Answers" it all makes sense. I rented huge Pooh and Tigger costumes and had members parade around in them all day -- even at the dances! (I'm sorry Joey!). I was crushed when I lost to Ryan Naples. But things happen.
I am kind of glad in a way, because now I know that I can't be too sure of myself and give up trying. No matter how good you think you are, you never know what can happen. I love this club. I have made a countless number of friends through it, in my own school, in the state, and all over the country. I will leave you with a few quotes that have gotten me through a lot.
"FBLA is what you make of it." (Brooksism #745)
"We don't have to reinvent the wheel here." (Brooksism #292)
"THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE... AND THAT ONE IS CARMEL!"
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Meghan Towers: Vice President of Membership
My favorite experiences from FBLA have definitely been the conferences and competitions. FBLA members are some of the most competitive people around. I also play sports and I can only describe FBLA events as being akin to my field hockey games. If there is anyone who enjoys winning and competing against worthy opponents than FBLA is for you. Another great thing about FBLA is the conferences, my favorite being the State Leadership Conference. Every year the converge on Rochester for three days of elections, events and awards ceremonies. This is the most exciting, and large conference I have ever attended. There are literally thousands of people to meet, from all over New York. (Our chapter also holds it's annual Twister games, great news for all you single folks) Also, the feeling is one of intense enjoyment. It's just one big party, and the awards ceremony is something out of a WWF event. Smoke, fire, lights, and lasers. It's amazing.
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Phil Gold: Secretary
I can say with all certainty that my experiences in FBLA have been quite unique. When I was in 8th grade, I received a letter in the mail about FBLA; telling me all about the club and why I should join. I disregarded it and went back to my room to play guitar. My mother, however, for some reason chose to hang on to this letter, saying, "you should think about getting involved with this club". Yeah, sure, I paid attention.
In the fall of freshman year my parents told me I had to join some club in high school. It didn't matter which one, as long as I got involved in something. I was very reluctant, to say the least. A good friend of mine, Nao Valentino, who I followed around everywhere, also encouraged me to join this club. Between my mother's nagging and my crush on Nao, I was as good as signed up.
As a freshman, I got very involved in the club as a junior officer. I worked on our 1996-1997 chapter business display that took a second place trophy at the state leadership conference. After the conference, I was once again urged by Nao to get even more involved. I decided to run for the position of Historian. What luck! I got elected.
My sophomore year, I reigned terror on the officer team as chapter Historian. My first real job was to take pictures at a bike marathon event in the summer. I lost the camera. I have yet to live down this terrible shame. Later on in the year I struggled to learn how to be a good officer. I found it to be very difficult, but I learned. I co-chaired the American Enterprise Project with Reporter, Steve Archer. For that project we created a local value discount book and got 5th place at the 1997-1998 State Leadership Conference. On top of that I got 4th place in Information Processing Concepts! This was a great trip. After Rochester, I ran for local chapter Secretary. I had tough competition, but I got elected. Oh yes, another year.
Junior year as Secretary, I began to hone my skills as an officer. I learned to balance the different responsibilities in my life and become more organized. I chaired the 1998-1999 American Enterprise Project. We created a website to educate people about small business ownership and the American enterprise system. This was an incredible year. We took 1st place at the State Leadership Conference. In addition, I was part of the 2nd place Entrepreneurship team, and received a 5th place trophy in Information Processing Concepts. This was one of the greatest trips ever. After states, I ran unopposed for reelection and was once again chapter Secretary. I then prepared to take my American enterprise project to the National Leadership Conference in Chicago, Illinois. Our project, unfortunately, did not make the top 10 for presentation round. The trip was still fabulous.
This year, my senior year, I look back on the past 3 years with pride. I have learned so much and gotten so much out of this club. I can only hope to pass on my experiences to the younger members who have so much in store for them if they chose to pursue it.
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Chris Dieck: Treasurer
I joined FBLA as a freshman, not really knowing what I was joining. I had gotten a letter in the mail over the summer saying that I should join the business orientated club. My mom of course said that I should at least go and check it out. At first is seemed boring and not any fun. As time went on, I went to a couple of events such as Kids Day at the High School, and the PARC Telethon. These events really sparked my interest in FBLA, and I got more involved. As a result of being more involved, I was chosen to be the Outstanding New Member and went to the Spring Leadership Conference in Rochester. At Rochester I met lots of new and interesting people and had a lot of fun. I never realized how fun FBLA was until I went to Rochester. After I came back from Rochester, I wanted to be an officer of our chapter. I thought that if I was an officer I�d be able to have even more fun going to more conferences, and I have had tons of exciting times over the past year and a half. So, to all of our members, especially you new members, get involved. It can�t hurt you, and you only have to go to things that interest you. If you go to a lot of things then maybe you will be able to go to Rochester and see for yourself how much fun FBLA can be!
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Joe Pizzuti: Reporter
Three years ago I was a sophomore at Carmel high school. I was walking around after school one day looking for someone to hang out with. I passed by a classroom and saw a couple of my friends inside. I asked them what was going on and they said "An FBLA meeting, do you want to join?" With nothing better to do I signed the papers, paid my dues and became a member. FBLA turned me from a disorganized slacker into a organized procrastinator! All kidding aside, joining this club is the best idea I had in all of my four years of high school. I've met so many people, learned how to be successful, and became better at socializing with strangers. The skills I've learned while in this club will be carried with me into college and beyond. So keep with it and become as involved as possible, the overall education and enjoyment is immeasurable.
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