About 140 teens advancing to BPA state

At least 139 Wayne County students have qualified for Business Professionals of America’s State Leadership Conference next March.

Students from Centerville, Lincoln, Northeastern and Richmond competed in the Region 9 Leadership Conference on Saturday, Dec. 6, at Indiana University East.

Wayne County has had a strong BPA legacy for many years that includes multiple national championships and state officers.

In May, Wayne County students earned two more national champions and 14 more top 10 finishes in Orlando, Florida.

However, going to state and national contests comes at a price for participants. Chapters will organize fundraisers, and businesses and individuals can send contributions to the school(s) of their choice to defray travel expenses.

Regional results are not available for a few team competitions until January, when they’ll learn if they advance to state, and some head straight for state-judged competitions.

Hagerstown High School, which has fielded competitors in previous years, didn’t have enough students interested in competing in BPA this fall.

Lincoln

Garrett Singer, who serves as an adviser for the Golden Eagles, said students had an amazing day and their hard work was on display again this year at regionals.

At least 43 Lincoln students advanced to the state competition.

Centerville

Adviser Bonita Klein said the Bulldogs had the most successful year so far in its five years as a chapter.

Of the 46 members competing, 44 advanced to state.

Twenty-eight members brought home Region 9 Champion titles by placing first place in their events.

In addition, Ellie Cox served as the Region 9 President and presided over the conference.

The school’s Podcast Production Team was still waiting on results as of press time, which could add two more members to the school’s state delegates.

Northeastern

Northeastern’s chapter is sending at least 19 students to the state conference; the number could increase to 22 after all results are processed.

Adviser Tyler Hostetler called the local contest “a great day.”

Though its chapter is only in its second year, Hostetler notes that the Knights qualified more students for state this year than they had as members just last year.

“I am so proud of all those who competed and cannot wait to see their growth and performance at state and hopefully nationals,” he said.

To raise money for the state contest, NHS’ BPA members are selling socks in a variety of styles and designs for all ages. Single pairs are $6 and three-pair packs are $12. Place orders through Jan. 30 online.

Richmond

Richmond High School’s 33 regional competitors all qualified for state.

RHS achieved 19 first-place and nine second-place awards. Twenty-eight of the 33 students qualified in more than one event.

In addition, Alice Couch won her officer campaign and will be serving as the Region 9 President during the 2026-2027 school year.

Couch, Ashlee Grieswell, Liliana Hiltner and Hannah Stearley earned their Diplomat Torch Awards based on their achievements in seven categories: leadership, service, cooperation, friendship, knowledge, love/hope/faith and patriotism (citizenship).