The Future Business Leaders of America club started only a few weeks ago at Hampton Bays High School, but great things have already begun to happen for the group and its membership of approximately 60 students.
 
The club, which is led by advisors Andrew and Eleni Fotopoulos, and Student President and Vice President Conor Press and Dan Martel, has already raised just over $2,000 since the school year began. This amount includes a $500 donation from Kenneth G. Pagano of the Allstate Insurance Company in Hampton Bays. Mr. Pagano, who is an avid supporter of school and community programs, said that the donation is part of his company’s “Allstate Foundation Fund,” which supports the success of students.

The donations have been rolling in due to an ambitious “ask” letter campaign, which is linking donations to $150 Gold Level and $50 Line Sponsor ads for space on a 2010-2011 Hampton Bays High School sports calendar poster that the club is producing. Proceeds collected will go toward sending Hampton Bays members to an upcoming national Future Business Leaders of America conference.
 
“We were trying to determine what to support this year when the letter came into our office,” Mr. Pagano said on Thursday morning, shortly after handing over a $500 check to FBLA President and Founding Member Conor Press, a Hampton Bays senior. “It was perfect timing.”
Mr. Press, who plans on majoring in business management in college next year, said that he founded the club after a positive sit-down meeting with Hampton Bays High School Principal Christopher Richardt and Mr. Fotopoulos.

“This will provide students with the tools they need to cultivate their business interests,” he said. Mr. Fotopoulos said that the success of the group has already exceeded his expectations. “Mr. Richardt came to me and asked me to start the club,” he stated. “I never thought it would take off like this.”

Approximately 30 members of the club travelled to Malloy College in Nassau County on Friday, October 15, for a regional FBLA conference.