Several Wayne County teens placed in the nation’s top 10 at Business Professionals of America’s National Leadership Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.

Centerville, Lincoln, Northeastern and Richmond sent dozens of competitors in a variety of categories.

Lincoln

The Golden Eagles had two students that made it on stage for recognition this year. Karson Ulerick finished fourth in SQL Database Fundamentals and Justin Driskill finished 12th in Digital Media Production.

Four additional students finished in the top 20 of their events. Izzy Gross was 17th in Advanced Word Processing, Kinley Puckett 18th and Grace Briar 19th in Integrated Office Applications, and Bella Gilpin was 20th in Legal Office Procedures. 

Senior Justin Driskill enjoyed the new experience, calling it “magical.”

“It’s something every high schooler needs to experience before graduation,” Driskill said.

Senior Addy Ross said BPA has been one of her favorite programs to be involved in at LHS.

“Going to nationals with some of my fellow seniors and making good memories as our final year of BPA comes to a close, will be something I will cherish forever,” Ross said.

Senior Grace Briar agreed. “Nationals was the closing of my chapter in BPA. It was truly a journey through chaos but overpowered with love, hard work and family,” she said.

Centerville

Adviser Bonita Klein said members didn’t have the results they were hoping for at NLC but they had an experience they won’t forget.

“Competing at the national level is very competitive and all of them, no matter where they placed, learned a little bit about themselves, their teammates and how to conduct themselves in a professional manner,” Klein said. “Not all students are brave enough to put themselves out there on the national stage.”

Two members, Clark Thornburg and Madison Rowe, who competed in Integrated Office Applications, also took the PowerPoint Microsoft Certification exam, passed the certification and became MOS Certified in PowerPoint. 

Senior Tori Beatty is grateful for the “amazing” experience at BPA Nationals.

“It was a blast to meet new people from all over, compete in my event at the National level, and simply enjoy the city of Nashville,” Beatty said. “BPA is a group that I wish I had joined sooner — It has made an incredible impact on my life.”

Senior Ellie Cox said she was honored to compete at nationals again this year and represent Centerville and Indiana.

“I loved being with my chapter, doing fun activities and trading pins with people from other states … BPA has been one of the best parts of high school. I have made so many memories and friends that I will never forget! I am going to miss it,” she said.

Centerville’s chapter was recognized in the BPA Care program as a Chapter Activities of Excellence for the work members did throughout the year. The Bulldogs also received the BPA Cares Community Service Award and BPA Cares Marketing and Communication Award.  

Klein also was recognized for 35 years of service to the BPA organization.  

Centerville’s national BPA delegates: Front row: Luke Bane, Eli Hampton, Julian Amyx, Nick Whipple, Zach DeHoff, AJ Brock, Hudson Todd; middle row: Clark Thornburg, Tori Beatty, Addie Talbot, Sophia Soper, Cheyanne Junco, Madison Rowe, Lindy Skinner, Ruby Snyder; back row: Cohen Pierce, Claire Tressler, Kinley McCord, Ellie Cox, Josie Daniel, Reagan Cauley, Jocelynn Willett, Cauleigh Campbell, Jonathan Golden. Supplied

Richmond

The Red Devils had a national winner, a runner-up and another Top 5 finish.

Richmond High School’s students who competed at Business Professionals of America’s national contest include: front (L to R) Alice Couch, David Brazil, Ashlee Grieswell. Second row Jason Ngo, Mason Wetzel, Aiden French, Nicholas Stout, Hannah Stearley; third row Brayden Haller, Noah Spicer, Kyson Williams, Emma French; back row Weston Jones, Ben Holliday, Hendrix Morken, Gavin Mitchell, Chason Thurston-Perkins, James Scherer. Supplied

Emma French placed first in the Business World Sales Pitch competition. She teamed with students from other states to create, build and run a business from the ground up. Members presented their ideas to a panel of judges and other BPA student participants.

French called competing in Business World “a very unique experience.”

“I loved being able to meet and collaborate with students from other states,” she said. “I think this experience further prepared me to compete in business-related BPA events in the future.”

Hannah Stearley placed second for Health Research Presentation, podcast production team Brayden Haller, Ben Holliday and Hendrix Morken placed fourth, and  Weston Jones placed sixth in Prepared Speech. 

Network Design Team Gavin Mitchell and James Scherer placed 13th,  Scherer placed 15th in Medical Coding, and Ashlee Grieswell earned the Ambassador Torch Award.

Northeastern

The Knights had their first national qualifier, Parker Brooks, competing in Computer Modeling.

Adviser Tyler Hostetler said Brooks did not make the finals in the event, but the future is bright for this freshman.

Nicolas Markward also attended the national conference and was recognized for achieving the Ambassador-level Torch Award, which is one of the highest honors a student can receive in BPA.

“Overall it was a great experience for these two students, lots of fun and new experiences,” Hostetler said.

Northeastern sent two students, Parker Brooks and Nicolas Markward, to the BPA national contest for the first time. Supplied
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A version of this article appeared in the May 20 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.

Millicent Martin Emery is a reporter and editor for the Western Wayne News.