From left to right: Brittany Jones, Justin Gladieux, Shannon Lussier, Jason Florence, Melanie Bieber and Pete Dalpiaz.

The University of Findlay’s Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) team took first place in its league at the SIFE USA regional competition in Chicago, Ill., March 24. The event was one of 17 SIFE USA regional competitions held across the United States in March and April.

To enter the competition, students were required to put together a 24-minute video and PowerPoint presentation outlining the projects the team worked on during the past year. A five-minute question-and-answer session followed the presentation, which was judged by 20 business professionals from across the United States. The team was evaluated on the impact the members had in teaching business economics skills, financial literacy skills, business ethics and job success skills, and sustainability of the projects.

During the past year, the UF SIFE team taught children about business, organized an etiquette luncheon at UF and assisted organizations such as the Findlay City Mission, a Philippine orphanage and the UF Investment Club. The group also helped with a book swap and a Honduras project.

Students on the presentation team included junior and club secretary Melanie Bieber, senior and club president Pete Dalpiaz, junior Jason Florence, senior Justin Gladieux, junior Brittany Jones and sophomore and club vice president Shannon Lussier. Gregory Arburn, Ph.D., assistant professor of economics and finance, director of finance, economics and SIFE, is the team adviser.

The team will advance to the national level of SIFE competition, at the SIFE USA National Exposition May 6-8 in Dallas, Texas.

SIFE is an international non-profit organization active on more than 1,400 university campuses in 48 countries.