Area Business Students Win National Awards
(Press Release 07-16-07)
Hank Mooney, Office of Public Information

The land of Lincoln was the “ticket to success for our students,” according to Estella Bennett-Mask, Sponsor of the Eastern Oklahoma State College Phi Beta Lambda chapter. "Ticket to Success" was the theme for this year’s Phi Beta Lambda National Leadership Conference in Chicago. Future Business Leaders of America–Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA–PBL) is a professional association of students pursuing business careers. Success came in the form of several awards for Eastern students Mandy Atkinson, Wilburton; Josh Barnes, Indianola; and James Russell, McAlester. The students were accompanied by co-advisors Bennett-Mask and Linda Morgan.

The team of Atkinson, and Barnes placed second in the American Enterprise Project with a written report and oral presentation outlining the activities of a year–long project designed to provide Eastern students with facts concerning the economy. The project, conducted by Eastern’s chapter, and titled “Lambda Jambda Jeopardy” included the development of online computer Jeopardy games with business categories and questions. Students played the computer games in several preliminary rounds with those earning the highest points advancing to the qualifying round. The five players with the highest scores from the qualifying round advanced to “Final Jeopardy” which was played before a live audience with the winner receiving a $100 grand prize.

The team of Atkinson and Russell placed fourth in the Community Service Project, receiving a $200 award sponsored by Booz Allen Hamilton, with a written report and oral presentation outlining the Suicide Prevention program developed by the chapter and presented to Eastern students. Drama students performed several skits of familiar situations and pointed out warning signs exhibited by someone who might be considering suicide. Handouts with tips and the national hotline number were also distributed to the audience during the program.

Atkinson and Russell each received a $400 National Leadership Conference Scholarship from the national office. The scholarship is based upon a demonstration of leadership skills, participation in Phi Beta Lambda and academic performance. “I feel honored to have received the scholarship especially since the competition was nationwide,” said both Atkinson and Russell.

More than 1,600 students from around the nation and Puerto Rico competed in more than 44 events representing a range of business, career, and leadership activities. Eastern students became eligible to compete at the national conference after placing in the top five at Oklahoma’s state conference in April. “We have spent many hours in practice and review preparing for this competition and we are very proud of our students’ accomplishments,” said co-advisor Bennett-Mask.

The Eastern PBL Chapter also received the Gold Seal Chapter of Merit Award. “This award is given in recognition of outstanding achievements by a chapter during the year,” stated co-advisor Morgan. In addition, the chapter received first place at the regional level for recruitment of Professional Division members.

In addition to the competitive events, students and advisors attended career and motivational workshops and campaigned for and elected regional and national officers. Phi Beta Lambda, the postsecondary division of FBLA-PBL, Inc., has approximately 13,000 members in 461 chartered chapters. There are four levels of participation in FBLA–PBL; middle school, high school, post-secondary, and professional.

Photo caption info:
Participants from the Eastern Oklahoma State College Phi Beta Lambda chapter attending the National Leadership Conference include from left: Josh Barnes, Indianola; Estella Bennett –Mask, Co–Advisor; Mandy Atkinson, Wilburton; Linda Morgan, Co–Advisor and James Russell, McAlester.