Wallkill Valley FBLA raises more than $20,000 for the March of Dimes

HAMBURG — The Wallkill Valley Regional High School chapter of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) hosted Super Night 2012 for the benefit of the March of Dimes on Dec. 7 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning in the high school gymnasium where 263 students participated.

Activities during this ten-hour lock-in included a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, volleyball tournament, dodgeball tournament, movie night and a Jell-O eating contest.

Trophies and medals were awarded for each tournament:

3-on-3 Basketball — 1st place: Kodie Hilbert, Mikey Rillo, Brenden Meyer and 2nd place: Jason Decker, Justin Decker, Payton Decker.

Volleyball — Ryan Higgins, Rich Stecher, Tyler France, Jason McWilliams, Eric Robertson, Kyle Morales, Gabe Aseron, Luke Vandorhoff.

Dodgeball — Kevin Hagan, Kyle Olinger, Thor Selden, Tommy Megazino, Casey France, Francis Boye-Codsoe.

Jell-O eating contest — Calvin Kasssarate.

In order to participate in the event, students were required to raise a minimum of $50 for the March of Dimes; prizes were awarded to the top fundraising students: first place – Morgan Penque received a laptop computer with a webcam and second place – Matthew Lattanzio was awarded headphones.

Wallkill Valley FBLA’s Community Service Vice Presidents Julianna Alfonso, Carly DeOliveira and Kristen Vandenberghe organized activities and secured food and drinks for the event from the local community. They were assisted by the Super Night Committee. The gymnasium was decorated with a “Super Heroes” theme. Even through economic challenges and the Hurricane Sandy relief fund, the business community continued to support the members in the fight for healthier babies.

Two school assemblies were held on Nov. 28, which outlined the details of the event. JoAnn Bartoli, the March of Dimes Northern New Jersey representative, was in attendance. Taryn Benequista, a Wallkill Valley faculty member, presented a heart-wrenching DVD on her daughter’s birth and the effect the March of Dimes had in providing the equipment necessary for her daughter Chloe to have a healthy start in life.

The Wallkill Valley FBLA chapter was recognized as the top fundraising school in New Jersey at the June 2012 Northern Region March of Dimes annual banquet; they also received first place at the 2012 FBLA State Leadership Conference and first place in the nation at the 2012 FBLA National Leadership Conference in San Antonio, Tex. Additionally, Wallkill Valley FBLA received a $1,000 Mission LIFT grant at the National Leadership Conference, which was utilized toward Super Night 2012. The chapter members are committed to the mission of the March of Dimes and are thrilled with their March of Dimes 2012 donation of $15,200.

A special thank you is extended to families and local businesses for their continued support of food, drinks and gift certificates in the fight for healthier babies: FBLA families: Alfonso, McCurry, Stampone, Conte, Berado, Repasy, Pereira, Warren, Jimenez, Bifano, Astor, and DeOlivera; busineses: Casa Mia, Domino’s, Frank’s Pizza, Pizza Shoppe, Tony’s Pizzeria and Restaurant, Dominick’s Pizza, Sparta Dinner, Pepsi, Holland American Bakery, Bagel Tree, Bagel Station, Franklin ShopRite, and Franklin Weis; the Sparta Elks donated $100 to purchase pizza for the evening.