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By PBL Reporter Chris Mervyn

Members of Eastern Oklahoma State College’s chapter of Phi Beta Lambda traveled another mile on their journey to success at the 2005 Oklahoma FBLA–PBL Leadership Conference held at the Meridian Convention Center in Oklahoma City, April 14–15. Post–secondary representatives from 12 universities and junior colleges participated.

The Road to Your Success, the state and national theme for 2005, was appropriate for the chapter as members secured the privilege to represent the state of Oklahoma at the national competition in Orlando this summer.

The conference was called to order with the parade of state officers, including Eastern’s Belinda Keith, Stigler, who is serving as Oklahoma PBL Reporter; Carmen Beers, Hartshorne, serving as Oklahoma PBL Secretary; and Lindy Morgan, Wilburton, serving as Oklahoma PBL President. Morgan walked again in the parade of president as she serves the local chapter.

Ryan Underwood, Chief Leadership Officer of TRI Leadership, was keynote speaker. Underwood has been dedicated to Making A Difference (M.A.D.) in the lives of students and educators, customers and citizens, and enterprises of all sizes. He is a youth leadership expert, spokesperson, keynote speaker, speech writer, and co-author of The Extra Step and the achievement book GO MAD: Make a Difference.

Ryan is the Chief Leadership Officer of TRI Leadership Resources, one of America’s leading providers of management, event, and training services for nonprofit and student organizations. Ryan is a consultant with clients ranging from Disney and March of Dimes to schools, universities, and state departments of education.

Capturing awards for Eastern were Tuan Nguyen, Wister, first in Accounting Principles and fifth in Statistical Analysis; Chris Mervyn, McAlester, first in C++ Programming and Java Programming; Alisha Harris, Hartshorne, first in Information Management, Word Processing, and the Community Service Project; Angelina Scott, Hartshorne, first in Job Interview and the American Enterprise Project; Tommy Gonzales, Wilburton, second in C++ Programming and 4th in Computer Applications; and Jenna Gonzales, Wilburton, second in Computer Concepts and Telecommunications.

Lindy Morgan, Wilburton, second in Future Business Executive, first in the Community Service Project and the Local Chapter Annual Business Report; Carmen Beers, Hartshorne, third in Information Management, fifth in Human Resource Management and first in the American Enterprise Project; Amber Cole, Wilburton, fourth in Business Law, fifth in Word Processing, and first in the Community Service Project. Hiroki Sawayanagai, Nagano, Japan, also competed.

Eastern also placed first in the Public Relations Award competition. The chapter was named Outstanding Chapter. Ken Bass, president of Wilburton State Bank, was named Businessperson of the Year.

Carmen Beers, Belinda Keith, Lindy Morgan, and Angelina Scott were named Who’s Who in Oklahoma PBL. Lindy Morgan also received the national Career and Membership Achievement Program Executive Level award.

Local and state PBL advisor Linda Morgan was recognized for her hard work and devotion as the Oklahoma PBL state officer team presented her with a lifetime membership to Phi Beta Lambda’s Professional Division.

Sponsors for Eastern’s chapter are Estella Bennett-Mask, Linda Morgan, and Harold Bogard. Bennett–Mask served as Oklahoma PBL Competitive Events Chair; Bogard served as Oklahoma FBLA–PBL Computer Events Coordinator; and Morgan serves as the Oklahoma PBL State Advisor.

The next destination on their journey will be Orlando, Florida, June 28–July 2.

Future Business Leaders of America–Phi Beta Lambda, Inc., is a national student vocational education association that prepares students for careers in business and business education. Membership is over 260,000 in 11,000 chapters across the United States and abroad. Future Business Leaders of America is the high school division; Phi Beta Lambda is the collegiate division.

Caption info: Members of Eastern's PBL chapter competing in state competition include from front left: Carmen Beers, Hartshorne; Lindy Morgan, Wilburton; Belinda Keith, Stigler and Angelina Scott, Stigler. Back Row: Estella Bennett–Mask, Co–Advisor; Alisha Harris, Hartshorne; Amber Cole, Wilburton; Tuan Nguyen, Wister; Chris Mervyn, McAlester; Tommy Gonzales, Wilburton; Jenna Gonzales, Wilburton and Linda Morgan, Co–Advisor.