Crunch Time in Philadelphia; SIFE Prepares for Competition

"We can advance," repeats SIFE faculty advisor, Dr. Fitzpatrick, as he observes his team. National competition, the day Saint Anselm College's SIFE team has spent the year anticipating, has finally arrived.

Around 1 p.m., the team will present their SIFE projects in front of a group judges, hoping to advance to the semifinal round of competition for the first time in the chapter's history.

Crowded into a hotel room, the group continues to polish their presentation. To an outsider the scene may seem chaotic, but after spending a day with the St. A's SIFE team, I know better.

Each team member understands his or her specific role during the presentation. Michael Conley '10 continues to tweak the PowerPoint presentation, adding pictures and bullets from SIFE's recent Maxed Out: Credit Card Debt and Financial Literacy Symposium, while Will Combes '10 prepares to present in his first SIFE competition. The rest of the team perfects their oral execution.

Dr. Fitzpatrick observes the group rehearse the presentation, reminding the team their projects convey the extraordinary success of the young chapter. "We are so far ahead of where I thought we would be 3 years ago." SIFE's membership on campus has grown to over 40 members. In accordance, the team continues to launch new projects.

The team's projects positively affect local communities in the Manchester area, such as Junior Achievement Titan, a program designed to engage high school students in the practice of business ethics and entrepreneurship, while Pennies for Peace supports the Central Asia Institute's mission to educate children in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The SIFE team's broad range of projects, their widespread impact, and their sustainability demonstrate the chapter's growth. Dr. Fitzpatrick is optimistic the team's efforts will be acknowledged with the opportunity to advance.

After a brief trial-run, he encourages his team to "Dial it up a notch," reiterating his mantra "We can advance."

Read about the SIFE team’s first day in Philadelphia and their win at regional competition.

Additional photos are available on our Flickr photo sharing site.