Contest Casts UMW Business Students as ‘Reel’-World Problem-Solvers

Five teams laid out plans to save a cinema giant, but only one could claim top billing.

University of Mary Washington seniors Karla Bonilla Lizama and Evelyn Centellas won the Fall 2025 College of Business Case Competition – titled “Reel Choices: The Crossroads of a Movie Studio’s Destiny” – for their ideas, presentation and polish.

Now in its ninth year, the biannual contest, held last month in Lee Hall, pits teams from UMW’s 400-level Strategic Management course against one another in a quest to sort out a “case” of a struggling business. Participants tap into the concepts and skillsets they’ve collected in class to analyze issues, plan a path to success and impress a panel of judges. The challenge gives students the type of real-world experience they’ll likely encounter in their careers, plus the top three contenders walk away with cash prizes totaling $3,000.

“All the groups were professional, prepared and had well thought-out presentations,” said Andrew Blate ’04, who owns Beautiful Home Services with business partner Craig Schneibolk. The two led the way in establishing the Case Competition and the endowed fund for its annual awards. “The students were impressive and are excellent examples of the quality of students UMW’s College of Business produces.”

Focused this year on the true-to-life shift in American cinema, fueled by franchise fatigue, a growing propensity for quick-hit viewing, and rising production and marketing costs, the competition asked students to find a way forward for Universal Pictures and its subsidiaries. Mary Washington alumni Linda Blakemore ’84, president and CEO of the Gemini 3 Group consulting firm, and Jenn Cole ’06, a Markel Insurtech Underwriters director, joined Blate and Schneibolk as judges.

UMW seniors Evelyn Centellas (left), a business administration major, and Karla Bonilla Lizama, an international business major, listen to the judges’ feedback after completing their first-place presentation in the Fall 2025 College of Business Case Competition. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.

Andrew Blate ’04 critiques a student presentation during the Fall 2025 College of Business Case Competition. Blate and his business partner Craig Schneibolk, co-owners of Beautiful Home Services, led the way in establishing the bi-annual contest and the endowment that provides the award money. The top three teams in the fall competition walked away with $3,000 in total. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.

UMW students David Fitzgerald (left) and Yann Aubert won third place – and $500 – in the Fall 2025 College of Business Case Competition. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.

UMW students (from left to right) Pawneez Bahramipanah, Lily Hussman and Freddy Rogers converse in Lee Hall before their presentation at the Fall 2025 College of Business Case Competition. The group – which also included Amanda Dolan and Deborah Ramos – took second prize, winning $1,000. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.

Andrew Blate ’04, who led the way in establishing UMW’s Case Competition with business partner Craig Schneibolk, chats with College of Business Dean Filiz Tabak before the fall competition. Photo by K Pearlman Photography

One after the other, the student teams flashed charts and graphs illustrating competitor evaluations, performance overviews, international partnerships, and business analyses onto a screen at the front of the room, while the four-person panel weighed in on their work. Was an investment of hundreds of millions of dollars viable? Had they factored the political climate into plans to expand overseas? Did they consider legal and environmental issues?

“My advice would be to treat the competition as if you’re actually working for the company,” said Centellas, a business administration major who hopes to work in healthcare. “That mindset helps you understand your own strengths and weaknesses.”

UMW students (from left to right) Paige Knudson, Diya Patel, Caitlin Cheeks and Prachi Dharamshi deliver their presentation during the Fall 2025 College of Business Case Competition. Photo by K Pearlman Photography

UMW student Michael Dennis listens to the judges’ feedback after his group’s presentation at the Fall 2025 College of Business Case Competition. Photo by K Pearlman Photography

Craig Schneibolk confers with Linda Blakemore ’84 at the Fall 2025 College of Business Case Competition. The two were among the four-person panel of judges, which also included Jenn Cole ’06 and Andrew Blate ’04, who led the effort to create the competition with Schneibolk. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.

UMW seniors Karla Bonilla Lizama (left) and Evelyn Centellas deliver their first-place presentation during the Fall 2025 College of Business Case Competition. The judges were particularly impressed by the pair’s polished delivery style. Photo by K Pearlman Photography

The winning presentation she delivered with Bonilla Lizama, an international business major, held both, said the judges, who questioned the pair’s plan to leverage AI, but praised their polished delivery. The two walked away with the $1,500 first-place award.

Pawneez Bahramipanah, Amanda Dolan, Lily Hussman, Deborah Ramos and Freddy Rogers took second place with a prize of $1,000. And Yann Aubert and David Fitzgerald came in third, winning $500.

“This competition is the culmination of months of hard work, critical thinking, collaboration and real-world problem-solving,” said College of Business Dean Filiz Tabak, who commended competitors for choosing to participate despite impending finals and busy end-of-year schedules. “Their dedication speaks volumes about their ambition and drive.”