MOUNT VERNON — Knox County Career Center (KCCC) students competed in person in the Business Professionals of America (BPA) State competition held in Columbus, Ohio recently.
KCCC had 7 students who qualified for nationals and 11 students who placed in the Top 10 in the BPA State competition. The 7 national qualifiers from KCCC will compete in the BPA National Leadership Conference in Dallas, Texas May 4-8.
BPA is a career technical student organization that allows students to compete in various competitions in the areas of Finance, Business Administration, Management Information Systems, Digital Communications and Design, Management, Marketing and Communications, and Health Administration.
The mission of BPA is to develop and empower student leaders to discover their passion and change the world by creating unmatched opportunities in learning, professional growth, and service. As a co-curricular organization, BPA has the ability to enhance student participation in professional, civic, service, and social endeavors. BPA members participate in these activities to accomplish their goals of self-improvement, leadership development, professionalism, community service, career development, public relations, student cooperation, safety, and health.
Tammy Klein, CollegeU-Business program instructor, commented, “We are so very proud of the time and effort students gave toward preparing for and competing in their BPA contests. State contests were a wonderful experience and we are looking forward to Dallas!”
Klein added, “As a former BPA student, I have personally experienced how BPA can change lives by opening eyes and minds to new possibilities.”
Nate Greene, Computer Network Technology program instructor, added, “I am extremely proud of all of our students who qualified for nationals. These students have been studying and preparing for their competitions for several months.”
The following students qualified for the BPA National Leadership Conference (National Qualifiers):
– Lydia Burak (CollegeU-Business) – Presentation Management Individual (3rd place) – Abigail Kennedy (CollegeU-Business) – Legal Office Procedures (3rd place) – Hannah Brooks (CollegeU-Business) – Human Resource Management (3rd place) – Dryden Hager (CollegeU-Business) – Business Law & Ethics (5th place) – Nathan Lubera (Computer Network Technology) – Computer Network Technology (1st place)
– Ethan Temple (Computer Network Technology) – Network Administration using Cisco (4th place)
– Logan O’Brien (Computer Network Technology) – Server Administration using Microsoft (5th place)
The following students placed in the Top 10 at the BPA State competition: – Kierstin Cox (CollegeU-Business) – Prepared Speech
– Joshua Rashley (CollegeU-Business) – Fundamental Spreadsheet Applications – Robert Swint (Computer Network Technology) – Advanced Interview Skills – Griffyn Hoenie (Computer Network Technology) – Computer Network Technology – Blake Ward (Computer Network Technology) – Computer Security
– Kaden Pealer (Computer Network Technology) – Network Administration using Cisco – John Auker (Computer Network Technology) – Server Administration using Microsoft
– Garry Cooper (Digital Media & Software Development) – Digital Media Production
– Dani Burky, Rachel Troyer, and Corrigan Iams (Digital Media & Software Development) – Computer Animation
– Emma Frazee (Pre-Professional Mentorship) – Interview Skills
– Holly Sawicki (Pre-Professional Mentorship) – Economic Research Individual
