BPA team bulldogs its way to state

CROWN POINT | Once again, the Business Professionals of America chapter at Crown Point High School has qualified to compete in the State Leadership Conference, to be held March 18 through 20 in Indianapolis.

Last month, the CPHS team "bulldoged" its way through District Leadership Conference competition at Lake Central High School, where they competed in a number of business events.

Students with the top scores in each event advance to state competition, where more than 2,000 BPA members will compete.

"This year, we had many first-time members, and they all worked very hard preparing for their individual competitions," CPHS BPA adviser Mary Bachnak said. "Whether they qualified (for state) or not, it is a terrific learning experience for everyone."

Qualifying students from Crown Point are Hayley Bordui, Advanced Word Processing Skills and Marketing & HR Management Open Event; Sam Beishuizen, Legal Office Procedures; Samantha Borella, Jacob Gasaway, Shelby Kiger, and Alicia Perez, Economic Research Team; Sean Panning, Interview Skills; Ryan Taylor, Human Resource Management; Shelby Kiger, Presentation Management Individual; and Sam Beishuizen, Cameron Halsted and Ryan Taylor, Presentation Management Team.

Other CPHS participants at the district level included Robert Mazarro, Fundamental Word Processing Skills; Andre Hatami, Legal Office Procedures; and Andre Hatami and Brian Rick (2011 national finalist), Video Production Team; Brian Rick and Lauren Taylor, Human Resource Management; Alicia Perez, Presentation Management Individual; and Xavier Rivera, Lauren Murphy and Zack Taylor, Broadcast News Production Team.

Students are seeking sponsors for the State Leadership Conference. Students will need $250 each to attend. Anyone interested in sponsoring a student or donating toward their efforts can send a donation of any amount to Mary Bachnak, Crown Point High School, 1500 S. Main St., Crown Point, IN 46307. Checks should be made payable to "C.P.H.S. BPA."

The mission of Business Professionals of America is to contribute to the preparation of a world-class workforce through the advancement of leadership, academic, citizenship, and technological skills.