York's Future Business Leaders of America national champs, finalists for 2026

YORK, Pa. — For many Penn State York students, joining Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Collegiate begins with a desire to gain experience outside the classroom. This year, that journey led to one of the most successful national performances in program history, as students earned 35 national awards while developing the confidence, leadership and professional skills that will serve them well beyond graduation.

At the 2026 FBLA Collegiate National Leadership Conference, Penn State York was recognized as the third-ranked Most Outstanding Chapter in the nation, placing the chapter among the country’s top collegiate FBLA organizations for its overall excellence in leadership, programming, service, membership engagement and professional development.

Students also earned 28 competitive event awards, including five national championships, along with numerous second- and third-place finishes and additional top-10 placements. Five students received Gold Student Excellence Awards, one earned a Silver Student Excellence Award, and one student was recognized through the prestigious Who’s Who in FBLA program.

The accomplishments bring Penn State York’s total to 114 national awards over the past eight years, reflecting the program’s continued commitment to leadership development, experiential learning and student success.

For Megan A. Lorenz, assistant teaching professor of business and business program coordinator at Penn State York, the national recognition represents much more than competitive achievement.

“This year’s success represents far more than awards,” Lorenz said. “With 35 national recognitions and 114 earned over the past eight years, our students continue to demonstrate what is possible when they are challenged, supported and empowered to lead. What makes this achievement truly meaningful is the growth behind it, the confidence built, the risks taken, and the belief our students develop in their own potential.”

Throughout the year, students prepared for national competition by strengthening their business knowledge while developing communication, teamwork, and leadership skills that extend well beyond the classroom.

For Kelsey Dettinger, Penn State York FBLA president, the conference reinforced that the organization’s greatest accomplishments cannot always be measured by trophies.

“During the conference, there was a moment when our chapter was disappointed with the results of who advanced to the final round,” Dettinger said. “In that moment, I realized that what we do is about so much more than winning awards. It is about challenging ourselves, growing as individuals, and supporting one another through both success and disappointment.”

Dettinger said watching members encourage one another through setbacks made the team’s eventual success even more meaningful.

“My proudest moment as president was watching our members persevere and ultimately walk across the stage with pride to receive the awards they had worked so hard to earn.”

Dettinger said her own journey through FBLA transformed her confidence and leadership abilities.

“When I started my FBLA journey, I had very little confidence in myself. I never saw myself as a public speaker, let alone someone who would present at a national level," Dettinger said. "But through the support of all of our members, and the guidance of Professor Lorenz, I gradually gained more confidence in myself and learned that I can do anything I set my mind to.”

Lorenz said those personal transformations are what make the organization so valuable.

“FBLA has become much more than a competitive organization on our campus,” Lorenz said. “It is a community where students find their voice, learn to lead and discover what they are capable of achieving.”

The chapter’s success also reflects the support students receive across the Penn State York community. Faculty and staff members volunteered their time throughout the year to help students prepare for competition. Lorenz traveled with the delegation to the national conference alongside Scott Simonds, director of student affairs and engagement, providing guidance and support to the 24 students who represented Penn State York throughout the event.

For Lorenz, one moment captured the significance of the experience better than any award tally.

“As our students’ names were announced during the awards ceremony, they stood and walked across the stage 28 times,” Lorenz said. “Each time, they rose together with a roar of ‘We Are!’ that echoed throughout the conference hall. It was a powerful reminder of the pride, unity and confidence they carry with them. We didn’t just leave with national awards — we left knowing, and showing everyone else, exactly what it means to be Penn State.”

Robert Farrell, director of academic affairs, reflecting on the sustained achievements of the campus FBLA chapter, noted, “I could not be prouder to be the director of academic affairs at a campus that boasts such an accomplished group of award-winning students.” In his message to the students, he wrote, “Each of you has so much to be proud of, and you have earned bragging rights, which I expect you to exercise. My compliments to Professor Lorenz for her steadfast mentorship of our FBLA chapter over the past several years.”

The conference experience provided students with opportunities to compete alongside some of the nation’s top collegiate business students while applying classroom knowledge in real-world business scenarios, building professional networks and strengthening the leadership skills they will carry into their careers and communities. The chapter’s national recognition reflects Penn State York’s commitment to providing students with opportunities that challenge them to grow, lead and make a meaningful impact long after graduation.

National chapter and individual honors

• Gold Seal Chapter Award
• Most Outstanding Chapter — 3rd place nationally
• Gold Student Excellence Awards: Kelsey Dettinger, Kevin Gonzalez, Vanessa Huynh, Ezequiel Adames and Tony Woods
• Silver Student Excellence Award: Domenic Sciortino
• Who’s Who in FBLA: Domenic Sciortino

Competitive event results

First Place

• Emerging Business Issues — Kelsey Dettinger
• State of the Chapter Presentation — Kelsey Dettinger and Domenic Sciortino
• Future Business Executive — Quentin Williams
• Future Business Facilitator — Tony Woods
• Business Presentation — Vanessa Huynh

Second Place

• Future Business Facilitator — Quentin Williams
• Business Presentation — Darien Reinhold
• Community Service Project — Tony Woods and Ezequiel Adames
• Foundations of Communication — Vanessa Huynh
• Foundations of Computer Science — Chandragupta Jejurkar
• Public Speaking — Lizzy Agravante
• Retail Management — Dustin Stevens
• Foundations of Marketing — Sherwin Villagracia
• Foundations of Digital Design — Michelle Lam

Third Place

• Project Management — Christian Harry
• Business Presentation — Michelle Lam
• Foundations of Computer Science — Yashraj Phadtare
• Foundations of Selling — Soroush Ghourchi
• Foundations of Technology — Anna Sederstrom

Top-10 Finishes

• Foundations of Communication (4th) — Kyleigh Woods
• Business Ethics (4th) — Domenic Sciortino, Sam Pham and Kevin Gonzalez
• Foundations of Technology (5th) — Chandragupta Jejurkar
• Foundations of Technology (6th) — Dustin Stevens
• Parliamentary Procedure (6th) — Caovin Nguyen
• Technology and Computer Science Case Competition (7th) — Katherine Heimbach
• Parliamentary Procedure (8th) — Kahlin Smith
• Public Speaking (10th) — Christian Harry
• Cybersecurity (10th) — Anna Sederstrom