Lakeland Business Professionals of America (BPA) competed at state on Feb. 12 to 14.
Fourteen students competed in many events, including research projects, speeches and tests.
B.P.A is the leading career and technical student organization. Kids nationwide compete through high school at regional, state, and national levels. There are around 45,000 kids, 1,800 chapters and over 25 states competing in B.P.A. The first competition was in 1966.
B.P.A is also a great way to get kids involved with their community and help them become leaders in their communities. It provides the skills and experiences needed to help strive in the business world.
One student was able to make it to nationals.
Two team events made it into the top ten. Shariece Vandever and Kaylee Bennet competed in the economic research team event. Jade Freitas and Isaac Cleve competed in the administrative support event.
“I think Kaylee and I did pretty well,” Vandever said. “I think we could have made shorter answers to the questions after the presentation, but I think overall we did good.”
It was Vandever and Bennet’s first time doing an event together, and they had a lot of tough competition. Fortunately, they were able to place in the top ten.
Isaac Cleve and Charlie Mattila competed in Extemporaneous Speech and made it to callbacks and ended up placing in the top ten.
“I feel like I did a really good job, and I continue to grow every year, and next year, I think I will be able to place in the top three,” Mattila said.
Two students took a test and placed in the top ten. Bennett took a test about health Insurance and Medical Billing, and Bridget Derbyshire took a test about Health Administration.
Jade Freitas placed third in Advanced Spreadsheets. She is the only national qualifier for LHS and can compete in Chicago, Illinois, for a national title in Advanced Spreadsheets.
“I think I did a really good job because I made it to nationals,” Freitas said. “I am excited to go compete in nationals. My goal is to place first in nationals.”
She was the only one out of fourteen to place in the top three in state and will go to nationals.
Jodi Nelson has been LHS’ B.P.A advisor for sixteen years.
“This year, there is room for improvement, but overall, they did pretty well,” Nelson said.
