Image (left to right): Amelia Porcelli, Adrianna Milutinovic, Jessie Gallagher, Kaitlin Williams, Kody Hanor, Josh Katz, Bryce Pagano, Eddie Kiesendahl, Ben Scholl
By: Kody Hanor
Members of the Wallenpaupack Area High School’s Future Business Leaders of America made way at the 2025 State Leadership Workshop, at Kalahari Resorts in Tannersville. Surrounded by chapters throughout the state of Pennsylvania, the Bucks joined around 1600 future leaders for two days of professional development, networking, and fun.
Throughout the event, members attended a variety of leadership and career-focused workshops presented by real-life business professionals, state officers, and even FBLA alumni. Workshop sessions covered topics such as communication skills, marketing trends, personal branding, and business pitches— helping members sharpen skills that extend beyond the classroom and into their future careers.
Wallenpaupack’s chapter also had the chance to connect with the 2025-2026 Pennsylvania FBLA State Officer Team through connections like State President Ben Scholl— a student at Wallenpaupack, who shared updates on this year’s goals and inspired members to take on leadership opportunities at the regional and state level.
The highlight of the trip came with the famous FBLA Rubber Duck Derby, where hundreds of numbered and colored rubber ducks raced through the winding turns of Kalahari’s indoor lazy river to raise money. The winners were awarded prizes like AirPods and Apple Watches. The excitement and friendly competition reflected some of the organization’s core values—leadership, service, and community.
Wallenpaupack’s members returned home motivated and ready to bring new ideas back to their chapter. The experience at Kalahari proved that leadership can be both educational and unforgettable.
