SANFORD - Members of Central Carolina Community College's chapter of Phi Beta Lambda knew they were among the best in the nation. They proved that at the organization's June 22-25 National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, Calif.

At the chapter's third time competing at the national level, 10 CCCC Phi Beta Lambda members placed in the top 10 in the nation in six events.

The conference drew 1,800-plus students from around the country, not just from community colleges, but also from four-year colleges and universities.

"We had a great showing and experience while in California," said Michael Fann, CCCC lead business instructor and PBL advisor. "Overall, I feel we represented our chapter, school, and community very well. We showed what hard work can do in the classroom and outside of it."

Phi Beta Lambda is a division of the national Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda association, the largest business student organization in the world. PBL comprises students in post-secondary schools and colleges who are enrolled in business, office, and business education programs. It is an integral part of their instructional program as well as promoting civic and personal responsibility.

CCCC students, and the events in which they placed, were: Oscar Hernandez and Jay Relkin, both of Lee County - Second Place in Economic Analysis & Decision Making; James Fleming, of Harnett County - Fourth Place in Computer Concepts; Kimlee Potrazzo, of Lee County - Fifth Place in Small Business Management Plan; Cherie Clark, of Lee County, and Alexandria Clayton, of Chatham County - Seventh Place in Human Resource Management; Nico Bocales, Kelvin Puckett, and Seth Tom, all of Lee County - Tenth Place in Digital Video; and Jamielle Franklin, of Lee County - Tenth Place in Impromptu Speaking.

The CCCC chapter was the largest North Carolina contingent at the conference, with 20 members making the trip, including Carli Williams, of Chatham County; Stacy Bradshaw, of Harnett County; Jennifer Barefield, Richard Barnes, Reginald Marsh, Guadalupe Norato, Vickie Nguyen, Monica Sagastume-Ceron, and Christopher Wilkes, all of Lee County; and Kaitlin Lien, of Cumberland County.

To attend the National Conference, the PBL members raised $12,000 by working at big events such as the PGA Wells Fargo Golf Tournament, NASCAR Sprint Weekend and the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 Weekend, as well as holding smaller fundraisers.

"It is a real testament to the drive and spirit of these students that they would do this much to go to their national conference," said CCCC President Bud Marchant. "Their achievements there are a testament to their hard work and the quality of the skills and knowledge they have obtained from their instructors at CCCC. These young people have a bright future ahead of them in the business world and we are proud to call them members of the CCCC family."

Diane Kannarr, business and marketing instructor, and Joni Pavlik, dean of Business and Media Technologies and Public Services, also accompanied the chapter members to the conference and assisted them in preparing for the competitions.

The officers of the college's Phi Beta Lambda Chapter are: President Cherie Clark, Vice President for Membership Jamielle Franklin, Vice President for Events Alexandria Clayton, Vice President for Fundraising Jay Relkin, Historian Christopher Wilkes, Parliamentarian Kelvin Puckett, Marketing Director Nico Bocales, and Community Service Director Jennifer Barefield. Guadalupe Norato is the N.C. Phi Beta Lambda Central Region vice president. She attended the Institute for Leaders at the national convention.

For more information about Phi Beta Lambda, contact faculty advisors Mike Fann at mfann@cccc.edu or 919-718-7468, or Drew Goodson at dgoodson@cccc.edu or 919-718-7445.