Teens advance to BPA nationals

Investments in educational programs that help students develop business, technology and financial skills are paying dividends. 

Wayne County now has eight state champions, a regional president and all-star member, an adviser of the year, numerous chapter honors, and dozens of qualifiers for Business Professionals of America’s national competition.

Students and their families, schools and communities are celebrating BPA members’ state championships in subjects such as computer animation, medical coding, economic research, fundamental spreadsheet applications and structured query language (or SQL, a programming language) database fundamentals.

Chapters will organize fundraisers, and donations of any amount can be sent to local schools so qualifying members can attend the May 7-11 National Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida.

Here’s a look at each chapter’s results from the state competition.

Lincoln

The Golden Eagles had a state champion — a parliamentary procedure team — and several second places among their high-flying competitors, said Garrett Singer, BPA adviser.

Lincoln took 46 state qualifiers to Indianapolis, and 27 of them qualified for nationals.

In addition, LHS had an overall total of 33 students who placed at state and were recognized on stage.

Lincoln’s state results included:

• Parliamentary Procedure Team: Luke Cottrell, Leo Russell, Braydon Munchel, Jacob Meyers, Paige Robinson, Lili Griffey and Ashby Jones, first
• Fundamental Word Processing: Cheyanne Junco, second; Abby Meyers, fourth; Charlotte Holcomb, seventh
• Advanced Word Processing: Luke Cottrell, second; Samantha Bell, fifth
• Fundamental Spreadsheet: Ben Bates, second
• Payroll Accounting: Chevelle Rose, second
• Advanced Office Systems and Procedures: Gracie Gambill, second; Tahlia Rastbichler, third; 
• Integrated Office: Bear Ervin, second; Grace Briar, third
• Intermediate Word Processing: Izzy Gross, third, Rebecca Harmer, fourth
• SQL Database Fundamentals: Jacob Myers, third; Evan Stuckey, seventh
• Computer Animation Team: Madison Cameron, Owynn Osborne, Sophia Losekamp, fourth
• Broadcast News Team: Daniel Bogue, Braxton Dick, Ryne Sturgis and Josiah Berry, fourth
• Python Programming: Karson Ulerick, fourth
• Medical Coding: Reilynn Ferguson, fourth; Tahlia Rastbichler, eighth
• Administrative Support Research Project: Samantha Bell, fifth
• Fundamental Accounting: Hannah Bogue, fifth
• Advanced Desktop Publishing: Chevelle Rose, fifth
• Advanced Spreadsheet: Rebecca Harmer, fifth; Bear Ervin, ninth
• Database Applications: Sam Bogue, sixth; Grace Smith, ninth
• Computer Security: Madi Short, ninth
• Digital Marketing Concepts: Madi Short, ninth
• Health Insurance & Medical Billing: Keilyn Sherwood, ninth
• Legal Office Procedures: Bella Gilpin, 10th

Four Lincoln students placed in their open events:

• Chevelle Rose: Financial Math Concepts, fourth
• Luke Cottrell: Parliamentary Procedure Concepts, sixth
• Madi Short: Digital Marketing Concepts, ninth
• Karson Ulerick: Computer Programming Concepts, fourth

Five Golden Eagles students qualified in both of their events. They were Luke Cottrell, Jacob Meyers, Chevelle Rose, Rebecca Harmer and Bear Ervin.

In addition, Samantha Bell and Tahlia Rastbichler were this year’s recipients of the BPA Cares Torch Award. 

Centerville

The Bulldogs sent 42 members to state competition with 20 placing in their events. Fifteen of those members advanced to the national conference. Six members will compete in multiple events at nationals.

In addition, Ellie Cox was installed as the Region 9 president, won the state all-star member and earned the Recruiter of the Year award.

Centerville’s chapter also received Cares awards in Community Service, Environmental Action, Marketing and Communications, Chapter Activities of Excellence, and the Quality Chapter Award.

In addition, Bonita Klein was selected as Indiana’s adviser of the year.

These Bulldog BPA members placed in their events to qualify for the National Leadership Conference:

• Administrative Support Research Project: Ellie Cox, first
• Fundamental Spreadsheet Applications: Josh Eliason, first
• Legal Office Procedures: Andy Purcell, second
• Network Administration Using Cisco: Grayson Jarvis, second
• Parliamentary Procedure Team: Addie Talbot, Savannah Davis, Sophia Soper, Hudson Todd, Grayson Jarvis, Tasha Jordan and Andy Purcell, third
• Health Insurance & Medical Billing: Makensy Isaacs, third
• Human Resource Management: Gavin Straszheim, fourth
• Intermediate Word Processing: Ruby Snyder, fifth; Sophia Soper, sixth
• Integrated Office Applications: Jocelynn Willett, fifth
• Advanced Office Systems and Procedures: Claire Kaucher, fifth
• Computer Network Technology: Julian Amyx, sixth

In addition, these CSHS students were recognized on stage at state:

• Administrative Support Team: Ruby Snyder, Ellie Cox, Jocelynn Willett, Josephine Daniel, fourth
• Presentation Individual: Tori Beatty, sixth
• Advanced Word Processing: Claire Kaucher, seventh
• Integrated Office Applications: Madison Rowe, eighth
• Advanced Office Systems and Procedures: Dakota Torbeck, ninth
• Medical Coding: Reagan Cauley, ninth
• Fundamental Word Processing: Tasha Jordan, 10th

Richmond

RHS qualified 21 students for the national leadership conference, adviser Denise Selm proudly noted.

Brayden Haller, RHS junior, said he can’t wait for what’s next.

“BPA has given me opportunities beyond anything I could have dreamed of,” Haller said. “The connections, friendships and memories I’ve made over these past few months are something I’ll cherish forever.”

The Red Devils’ state results:

• Economic Research Individual: Jacob George, first
• SQL Database Fundamentals: Fred Mendenhall, first
• Medical Coding: Yuvraj Prajapati, first
• Prepared Speech: Bryce Cordova, first
• Computer Animation Team: Ranbir Singh, Remy Luangsingotha and Yuvraj Prajapati, first
• Podcast Production Team: Logan Priest, Josh Gilbert, Brayden Haller and Chase Holle, second
• User Experience Design Team: Avery VanDervort, Lucy Couch and Alice Couch, second
• Presentation Individual: Hannah Stearley, second
• Administrative Support Research: Hannah Stearley, second
• Computer Security: Carsyn Knight, second
• Entrepreneurship: Emma French, second
• Computer Modeling: Owen Peters, third
• Fundamental Desktop Publishing: Greyson Farmer, third
• Fundamentals of Web Design: Owen Peters, fourth
• Device Configuration & Troubleshooting: Gavin Mitchell, fifth
• Video Production Team: Emily Hawkins, Carsyn Knight, sixth
• Java Programming: Remy Luangsingotha, seventh
• Personal Finance Management: Chase Holle, seventh
• Health Administration Procedures: Ashlee Grieswell, seventh
• Advanced Desktop Publishing: Kiarra Handley, eighth
• Medical Coding: Ashlee Grieswell, 10th
• Virtual Interview and Digital Portfolio Design: Avery VanDervort, national qualifier
• Esports Team: Gavin Mitchell and Khush Patel, national qualifier

Hagerstown

The Tigers sent four competitors to state and brought home two fifth-place finishes.

Hazard Houghton, Orion Houghton and Cole Mitchell competed in Networking Design Team, and Zoe Meek tackled Legal Office Procedures.

“I was extremely proud of these students and the work they put into their programs,” said adviser Mark Linderman. “I think that all of them made it relevant to them and their futures as professionals and individuals. I couldn’t ask for a better team and know that they will all go far in their careers!”

Northeastern

In the chapter’s rookie season, two Knights placed at the state contest. Nic Markward finished fifth in computer modeling and Jesse West earned seventh in Linux Operating Systems.

“We had many great performances and everyone had a wonderful time,” said adviser Tyler Hostetler.

“This capped off an amazing first year for Northeastern. There are big things to come from NHS BPA next year!”