Happy National FBLA-PBL week! The week of Feb. 12-16 recognizes this organization on a national and state basis. If you are unfamiliar with FBLA/PBL, let me enlighten you. FBLA is an organization of future business leaders at the high school level, and PBL is on the college level, which I wish to inform you of the most. This organization is 65 years old, founded in 1937, and ACM (Allegany College of Maryland), has been affiliated and certified with PBL since 1999. The chapter, #13554, is under the Office Technologies Program, and is also known as Phi Beta Lambda.

This chapter at ACM is not just campus oriented, yet is actively involved in our local community. The following are examples of our involvement:

Participation of the March of Dimes Preparing Easter baskets for sick pediatric patients at WMHS/Memorial Campus , the mailing of Christmas cards to our military (1,630 cards), donations to Toys for Happiness at Christmas, collecting stocking stuffers for the local Salvation Army

This chapter is also involved on campus, as we have: Established a $400 scholarship, given to an ACM Office Technologies student, made and distributed Halloween treat bags to the daycare children of ACM, gave a Thanksgiving "care" basket to a needy Office Technologies student, attended national and state conferences and received awards.

I hope to attend the national conference this summer in Chicago. This conference would be a great experience and hopefully would enlighten me as an individual, as well as a student at ACM. I wish to represent my community as best I can. On a personal level, my experience at ACM has been a positive experience. I am a paralegal student and find the staff to be professional and resourceful.

So in the future if someone talks about FBL, or Phi Beta Lambda, you will have an idea of what the organization does for others and support their cause.

I thank our advisors, Mrs. Thea Hosselrode and Mrs. Judy Moore, associate professors who voluntarily give their time. I would like to also acknowledge my fellow officers, co-presidents Becky Chaney and Paula Kalbaugh; vice president Lawrin Mikanga; secretary Jennifer Sullivan; public relations Bridget Troutman and Mindy Pfister Scaletta; historian Nancy Engbert

Thank you for taking the time to read this, I appreciate it greatly. This organization deserves the recognition.

Mindy Pfister Scaletta
Allegany College of Maryland