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PBL National Champions! YC never left our side. They challenged us to stay focused and come out on top, and that is exactly what we did.” Being a Nebraska high school graduate, and the 2021-22 president elect of Nebraska PBL, Santiago took the success of both his state and team personally. “Nebraska had the most Top 10 finishes amongst all states,” he said. “It doesn’t matter that some call us a ‘flyover state’. It doesn’t matter that other students tell us our network is smaller because we live in Nebraska. What does matter — is that we never gave up and we gave it our all. I will miss our seniors greatly!” Dye, who served this past year as the chapter president said, “Joining PBL has been life changing for me. I am honored to have been a part of this club for the past few years and I am super excited to see what’s next for YC PBL. The advisor and business professors are amazing, the members are now lifelong friends, and competing has been a blast! I highly encourage everyone, no matter what your major or possible career path is, to join PBL.” n
photos by Bob DeHart '95
fter an impressive seventeen 1st place awards at the Nebraska state competition in the spring, YC's Professional Business Leaders set their sights high for the National Leadership Conference, June 24-27, and did their PBL chapter proud. Sixteen Top 10 finishes were awarded that included one individual national champion, one team champion, two team runners-up, and seven additional students placing fifth or better in their events. "I am extremely proud of all of our members. A virtual national conference and a tough Covid year were not enough to slow down our students,” said Dr. Stacie Turnbull, chapter advisor. “They worked hard to prepare for state and the national events, competing against the best of the best! In addition, they were actively involved in chapter events throughout the year. I can't wait to see these students continued success and am grateful to be a part of their journey. We are grateful to the many in the York business community who continue to mentor our members."
Logan Dye, a 2021 business administration graduate from Wylie, Texas, and three-time national qualifier, saved her best for last as she came away with first place in Client Services. 2019 national champion Kitra Cody, a junior from Cody, Neb., and Moriah Toledo, a junior from Fruitland, N.M., won first in Human Resource Management. Cody was also a national runner-up at this year’s competition along with teammate Josh Santiago, a junior from Norfolk, Neb., in Accounting Analysis and Decision Making. Santiago and Diego Korol, another 2019 national champion, teamed up for a second place finish in Forensic Analysis. Korol, who graduated in May with dual degrees in accounting and business administration, is from Santiago, Chile, and is currently pursuing his masters at York College and serving as a graduate assistant with the men’s soccer program. He attributed the chapter’s achievements to the YC business faculty that he tagged with this comment posted on York’s PBL Facebook page: “The success of our chapter wouldn't be possible without the education we've received in each of your classes. You are all amazing educators that have made an impact not only in the lives of our PBL members, but also every student of the Levitt School of Business.” Santiago also had high praise for those who helped in a difficult year. “It was hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel throughout the school year, and it was especially hard on us students with the constantly changing learning environment we endured due to Covid,” said Santiago. “Our strong PBL advisor and professors at
2021 National PBL Leadership Conference Results: Client Services – Logan Dye, 1st Human Resource Management – Kitra Cody & Moriah Toledo, 1st Forensic Analysis – Diego Korol & Josh Santiago, 2nd Accounting Analysis & Dec. Making – Kitra Cody & Josh Santiago, 2nd Small Business Management Plan – Felipe Venegas & Diego Korol, 3rd Acc. Analysis & Dec. Making – Adriana Fajardo & Ella Montoya, 4th Community Service Project – Isaac Barnes & Ella Montoya, 4th Business Communications – Timberly Carr, 5th Global Analysis and Decision Making – Moriah Toledo, 5th Client Services – Caden Morris, 6th Business Ethics – Chris Martens, 6th Integrated Marketing Campaign – Isaac Barnes & Victoria Miller, 6th Business Presentation – Timberly Carr & Allison Myers, 7th Local Chapter Annual Bus. Report – Allison Myers & Moriah Toledo, 9th Cost Accounting – Adriana Fajardo, 10th Local Chapter Annual Business Report - Taylor O'Brien, 10th
