2016 Illinois FBLA-PBL

Summer Leadership Workshop

Press Release

What does the future hold? Who is going to lead us? Where will they get their training? Students from
Dunlap High School were among students from all over Illinois who took part in the fortieth annual
Summer Leadership Workshop for Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda at the
Northfield Inn in Springfield, Illinois, July 20-22. FBLA-PBL is dedicated to providing students with the
skills necessary to lead them into the future. The theme of the workshop was A Legacy of Leadership
which is celebrating the 75th anniversary of the FBLA-PBL association: 1942-2017.
Patty Hendrickson, Certified Speaking Professional from La Crosses, Wisconsin, Louie Sharp, Owner of
Sharp Skills in Island Lake, Illinois, and Sandra Bronson, Illinois FBLA State Adviser from Decatur,
helped students strengthen their leadership skills, practice team building, and develop characteristics
valuable in the world of work. Workshops included information on benefits of being an FBLA-PBL
member, running for office, time management, competitive events, and much more.
Julia Tavares said, Having it been my second year at SLW, I couldnt wait to see it affect other people as
much as it had affected me. Last year, my life changed at SLW. I learned so much, grew so much, and
found a passion for a wonderful organization. This year, I saw other members grow and come out of their
shell. It was the most amazing thing ever. Hanifah Ali also added her insight on the experience - SLW
connected with me on a personal level. It showed me that I can put myself out there, that I can create
change, and most importantly, that I can be a leader for our generation. I learned lifelong skills, made
lifelong friends, and I gained lifelong memories. I truly believe that SLW and FBLA have positively
impacted me and have pushed me in the right direction. At SLW I learned a lot about what FBLA really
is. I learned that it is about leadership and being able to communicate with those around you and not
having any fear of speaking. I hope to use these skills in not just my own chapter but my own life as

well, said Imadh Khan. Sam Royce said, SLW is a place where I have learned to be courageous and
have more outlandish dreams than I had before. It gave me the chance to have a voice and everyone
listened. I learned what leadership is, how to wield it, and where it will take me in life. Zach Stroup
stated that During SLW, I learned that one persons actions can furnace others to dream more and do
more. I learned that being a leader isnt always about leading from the front, its about being able to lead
from behind when that time comes. So this year, my goal is to implement what I learned at SLW to not
only grow as a person, but as a chapter as well. Molly Royce shared how the experience impacted her by
saying, SLW really showed me that if you work together, anything can be accomplished in a short
amount of time. It really made me step out of my comfort zone, and because of that, I feel that I have
grown as a leader. Lastly, Himani Suthar stated that SLW was a great experience, as it not only helped
me develop my leadership skills, but also allowed me to meet other FBLA students from Illinois and
share new ideas with them. I am very grate to have participated in this interactive workshop.
Students and advisers from Dunlap High School who participated in the workshop and planned the
chapters program of work included Angela Stancil, Adviser, Bruna Tavares, Chapter President, Julia
Tavares, Chapter Vice President, Hanifah Ali, Chapter Secretary, Imadh Khan, Chapter Treasurer, Samuel
Royce, Chapter Reporter, Himani Suthar, Member, Molly Royce, Member, and Zachary Stroup, Member.
Aspiring Business Leader Scholarships were won by Julia Tavares, Ali, Khan, and Royce.
Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda, Inc. (FBLA-PBL) is a nonprofit education
association with a quarter million members and advisers in over 6,500 active middle school, high school,
and college chapters worldwide. Its mission is to bring business and education together in a positive
working relationship through innovative leadership and career development programs. The association is
headquartered in Reston, Virginia, outside Washington, D.C. For more information about FBLA-PBL visit
the following websites: www.fbla-pbl.org, www.fbla.gen.il.us, and www.il.fbla-pbl.org.