The history of Mamaroneck’s chapter of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) is long and successful, and this year has been no different with 35 students winning prestigious awards at the 77th annual Student Leadership Conference (SLC). This year’s SLC was held in Rochester, New York, serving as the culmination of numerous MHS students’ hard work.
FBLA as a program has existed at MHS for over five decades, growing from just ten students in its inaugural year to over 130 in 2026. The program places an emphasis on business education, equipping students with both knowledge in specialized fields like entrepreneurship and journalism, and also with important interpersonal skills. FBLA allows students to master seemingly simple but ultimately crucial tools like how to write a cover letter, conduct yourself in an interview, and even give a proper handshake. However, to many FBLA students, including Arden Demasi (’28), the most valuable thing they have learned from the program is “the confidence you learn in public speaking.”
While these larger skills make up much of the day-to-day FBLA program, competition preparation is rigorous. In the weeks leading up to SLC, students became experts in their fields, studying for tests and creating detailed presentations. Lillian Zmuda (’26) commented that the dedication that each and every student gives to SLC is what allows the environment to be one filled with an “energy and healthy competition where everyone pushes each other to be better and learn.”
At SLC itself, students get the opportunity to compete against students from over 50 schools across the state, learning and studying, but also attending workshops and social events. This year, State Officer Alex Robinson led workshops named “How to Become a Millionaire,” teaching students financial literacy skills, and “Why I Became a State Officer,” while Lillian Zmuda, State Treasurer, led a workshop named “Dress to Impress,” teaching students about the importance of business-professional attire. Aside from workshops, students at SLC attend a talent show and party where they get the opportunity to network with business professionals and engage with the larger community.
This year Mamaroneck was recognized as chapter of the year for the 5th time in the program’s history, with two MHS sophomores, Zoe Zaumeyer and Arden Demasi, being elected to the State level positions of Vice President and Treasurer respectively. In addition, a total of 35 MHS students won awards including Adam Herzberg who placed 1st in the category of Data Science & AI and Garrett Clarke who placed 1st in the category of Real Estate. Further accolades were awarded to Dylan Schiron who won 1st place in Securities and Investments, Sophie Ingram who won 1st place in Retail Management, and Ivar Toftgaard who won 1st place in Public Administration & Management.
While the success of the MHS FBLA chapter can be seen in through numerous achievements, the soul of the chapter is embodied in its legacy of leadership and the community it was built from. Alex Robinson (’26) remarked that the Mamaroneck chapter in particular “places a heavy emphasis on leadership.” Robinson also acknowledged that this commitment to leadership has allowed her and many others to overcome anxieties about public speaking, enabling them to “speak in front of thousands of people and come out of their shell.”
Similarly, Maria Siciliano, MHS FBLA Advisor and District 3S Board of Trustees member, attributes the success of the program both to the students who put in hours upon hours of work, and the larger community around them, noting that “It’s Mamaroneck. All the teachers, all the support that we get, it all comes together because of the community.”
MHS FBLA is clearly a very special program, and we know that as these students advance to the National Leadership Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada later this year, and as Demasi and Zaumeyer settle into their new state roles, they will continue to emanate the excellence that makes this chapter so tremendous.
