ESU Hosts FBLA 21 Leadership Workshop and Awards Innovator of the Year Award

region leadership workshop

Posted by: Elizabeth Richardson on October 16, 2025, No Comments

Earlier this month, East Stroudsburg University (ESU) hosted the 2025 Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Region 21 Leadership Workshop at the university’s Innovation Center, welcoming 79 students and 18 advisors from eight school districts across Northeastern Pennsylvania – Jim Thorpe, Lehighton, Palmerton, Panther Valley, Pleasant Valley, Pocono Mountain, Stroudsburg, and Weatherly school districts.

The program featured remarks from Patrice Dume, director of business accelerator and entrepreneurship, and Lorna J. Hunter, Ph.D., vice president of enrollment management, followed by a keynote address from Jonathan Weber, president and CEO of Marathon Studios, Inc., TickCheck, LLC, Marathon Commerce, LLC, and AbuseIPDB, LLC. Weber shared insights from his experience founding multiple technology companies, encouraging students to embrace curiosity, take risks, and learn by doing.

The highlight of the workshop was the “Made in the Poconos” Business Pitch Competition, where student teams were challenged to develop and present business ideas before a panel of three judges – Weber; Leigh Fennie, business consultant at the University of Scranton Small Business Development Center; and Carol A. Dimopoulos, assistant professor of business management at ESU.

Lehighton High School won the East Stroudsburg University Innovator of the Year Award for the third consecutive year with their business idea, Guardian Gate. The high-technology school security system is designed to help prevent school shootings and keep students safe. The concept, inspired by one student’s experience with digital ID systems used at ski areas, provides each student and teacher with a unique photo ID card used for secure access to school buildings and individual rooms, tracking in real time who is where. The cards also store critical medical information, while an upgraded version includes AI facial-ID cameras to prevent misuse.

“Each year, students continue to impress us with their creativity and their desire to solve real-world problems,” said Dume. “Lehighton’s achievement demonstrates the innovation and leadership thriving in our local schools.”

ESU has hosted the FBLA Region 21 Leadership Workshop since 2016, providing a platform for middle and high school students to strengthen their leadership skills, collaborate with peers, and experience entrepreneurship in action.

For more information about FBLA Region 21 and future events, please contact Michael Moreno, manager of the entrepreneurial leadership center, at mmoreno4@esu.edu or (570) 422-7995.