Panther Valley students raise funds to attend FBLA conference

Five Panther Valley students are preparing for the Pennsylvania FBLA State Leadership Conference in Hershey next month.

The FBLA students took tests in various business topics at the regional level and their scores allowed them to move onto states.

Sarah Malkovich placed third in personal finance; her sister, Jessica Malkovich took fourth in Introduction to Business; Jason Lin placed second in Introduction to Financial Math; Caleb Knepper placed third in economics; and Mercedes Weaver, a second-time states qualifier, placed fourth in journalism.

This is the first time Panther Valley has had siblings qualify and attend states together.

There will be approximately 4,500 delegates in attendance at the conference, which is the largest gathering of high school students and advisers from across Pennsylvania.

During this three-day event, members compete in more than 65 competitive events, campaign for state office and attend general sessions and leadership workshops.

The conference costs approximately $3,400 for the students and FBLA adviser.

“We are trying to raise the funds ourselves, but we are asking the community for sponsorships and donations to help defray costs,” said Susan Solt, FBLA adviser at Panther Valley. “We would appreciate any donation and are grateful to the community for their continued support.”

To help defray costs, the group is holding a spaghetti and meatball dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday at the Panther Valley Intermediate School. The dinner includes a salad, dinner roll, spaghetti and meatball dinner, a drink and a dessert. Takeouts are available. The cost is an adult ticket $8, children (5-13) $5, and kids 4 and under are free.

For more information or to donate to the students, call Solt at 570-645-2171 or mail checks payable to the PV-FBLA, c/o Susan Solt, adviser to Panther Valley Jr/Sir High School, 912 Coal Region Way, Lansford, PA 18232.