Montgomery County Community College students earned top awards at the online Phi Beta Lambda 50th Annual State Leadership Conference and Competition April 1-2.

Amelia Wildermuth of Pottstown took first place in the categories of Desktop Publishing and Website Design. Zachary Raugh of Pine Forge took first place in Statistical Analysis and second place in Management Concepts. As a chapter, MCCC received second place for its Annual Business Report.  

“This year I chose to compete in events that were more project oriented,” said Wildermuth. “For desktop publishing and website design, I was required to create marketing materials and a website, respectively, for a clothing resale shop that focused on sustainable and ethical business practices.

“I had not had any past experience with building websites or designing marketing materials, so I was not sure how I would place,” she said. “I was extremely happy to see that I had done well enough in both events to qualify for nationals. And while our team is smaller than last year’s, I am just as excited for Zach and myself as we both get prepared to compete in Chicago in June.”

By placing first or second in their respective events, Wildermuth and Raugh both qualify to compete in the national competition June 24-26 in Chicago, IL.

“The state leadership conference presented students with the opportunity to compete, network, and attend a variety of workshops and panel. Being able to attend the last few leadership conferences as well as my involvement in the MCCC PBL chapter has helped me greatly in career and leadership development,” said Wildermuth, who graduates from MCCC this year with an associate degree in Life Sciences. She plans to transfer to a four-year institution in the fall.

Raugh, who will graduate in May with an associate degree in Business Management, is looking forward to competing in nationals. He will be heading to Penn State University in the fall to continue his education.

"The PBL state conference was a great opportunity to network and connect with people from multiple industries. As someone majoring in a business degree, it was very insightful to hear from people with similar educations and about their experiences after college," Raugh said. 

Each year, the best and brightest of PBL’s members from 25 local chapters across the state compete in an array of business competitions designed to improve professional development while offering real-life experiences. The conference itself provides numerous workshops and sessions aimed at sharpening business skills and preparing students for careers.

"Amie and Zach epitomize sweat equity and instrinsic motivation and dispel the notion that community colleges are inferior to four-year institutions," said Dr. Damon Gray, PBL adviser/Finance, Marketing and Management Instructor. "PBL is a great venue to develop leadership and technical business skills."

In addition to the individual and chapter events, Wildermuth and Raugh completed and entered a Community Service Project. The project involved hosting a panel discussion with two female members of MCCC’s Board of Trustees, Eleanor Dezzi and Anisha Robinson Keeys, as part of Women’s History Month. The students interviewed the panelists about their careers, leadership experience, challenges and accomplishments.

“The panel discussion with Trustee Dezzi and Trustee Robinson Keeys was very enlightening,” said Wildermuth. “It was wonderful to hear their perspectives on topics pertaining to issues that women face in industry, as they discussed diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. I am extremely grateful for everyone who was involved in the process, from start to finish.”

"The panel discussion was a great conversation, and I'm glad we were able to use our community service project to bring some attention to the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion," Raugh said.