An FIU delegation made up of 12 students, including three hospitality management students, scored big at the 2014 FBLA-PBL National Leadership Conference held in Nashville, Tennessee from June 24 – 27. The students, who are all part of FIU's chapter of Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL), won in several categories against students from other nationally-renowned universities including Penn State, Rutgers University, and the University of California-Berkley, among others. Three of the twelve awards presented at the conference were won by hospitality management students Caroline Scher, Noelle Belli, and Gedma Estrada. Senior Gedma Estrada, placed third for the Local Chapter Annual Business Report category and in the Future Business Executive category. The students' community service project placed second in the entire nation and was especially gratifying because of its mission. The project was coordinated with the JAM Foundation, an organization that focuses on raising awareness of teen suicide, depression, bullying, self-harm and eating disorders. "This project was a huge success not only because of the monetary donation we were able to make, or because of the many students we were able to reach, but because we helped deliver a message to that one student who could have committed to something irreversible,” said Gedma Estrada. The students sold merchandise, collected donations, and led a general session at Miami Sunset Senior High to inform students about the signs of depression. Through their combined efforts, they were able to raise enough funds to present two seniors at the high school who were in some way impacted by suicide with $1,500 scholarships. The FIU chapter of FBLA-PBL also earned recognition in the following areas: 3rd Best Chapter in the Nation Power of One Recognized School Outstanding PBL [...]