SIFE Wins Regional for 15th Consecutive Year

VALDOSTA - Students in Free Enterprise at Valdosta State University capture the 15th consecutive regional title at the Atlanta Regional Competition held Monday, March 30.

Presenting team members Nikki Mitchell, Jacquita Graham, Joseph Gilliland, Cagney Spears, Stephanie Bullard, Ernie Prencke and Fletcher Ogletree delivered a dynamic presentation that detailed the 45 community outreach programs the 200-member organization facilitates.

One of VSU's most active student groups, SIFE logged more than 10,000 service-learning hours with local k-12 schools and community non-profit organizations last year. Many of these focus on business education and financial success, fostering good habits and necessary skills in young children. Members have volunteered in after school programs, helped groups of young children start businesses in their schools, taught peers about personal finance, initiated new projects focused on environmental sustainability, and supported continuing mentoring programs, such as "Building a Better Tomorrow" at the Methodist Home for Children and Youth.

"The VSU SIFE team is a team with a big heart and they show it in all they do," Dr. Wayne Plumly, faculty advisor, said.

The seven-member presentation team will travel to Philadelphia, Penn. May 10-12, to compete nationally. In addition to its 15 regional titles, VSU SIFE, founded Plumly in 1994, also has four top 20 finishes, three top 10 finishes, three final four appearances and a first runner-up distinction at nationals.

The VSU SIFE organization is part of an international organization located on more than 950 campuses nationwide and in 49 countries throughout the world. For more information, visit the SIFE website at www.vsusife.org .