BPA earns regional honors

By Nancy Natividad

On Monday, Jan. 19, sophomore Kristina Rogers coordinated meetings, manipulated text and did it all in a timely fashion. Another day at the office? No. She was one of 70 students who competed in the regional Business Professionals of America competition in Kalispell.

“It was a really good experience,” said Rogers, who got first place in administrative assistance. “I was nervous and afraid of testing all day when I started, but then it started flowing really well.”

In competition, the students take five tests a day and a panel of judges rates the work on speed and accuracy. They must place in the top six of their event to qualify for state.

The BPA club spent the day taking tests and creating computer documents and qualified 15 students for the state competition in Great Falls in May.

“I have really high expectations,” said BPA advisor and business teacher Cindy Jones. “They did really well and didn’t let me down.”

In addition to Rogers, there were two other first-place finishers: sophomore Terri Weyrauch in spreadsheet; and junior Jennifer Johnson in legal concepts.

“I didn’t think I’d make it to state,” said Weyrauch. “It’s a good opportunity and I’ve learned a lot.”

Regionals were hosted at FVCC on Martin Luther King Day because it opened the campus to competitors.

“I tried a new event (small business management) along with many of my colleagues,” said junior Meghan Hughes. “We learned much about the business world of today.”

There were several events the students could compete in such as economic awareness, business law and international business.

“We were really successful and I’m really proud of all of us,” said senior Lisa Johnston. “Mrs. Jones is a really good role model and we all love her to death.”

For now, the club is preparing for state by correcting their previous mistakes from regionals and building web sites. To raise money for state, the club plans to sell Valentine carnations next month.

Many of the members of the club are first year members, but have experienced early success, such as state qualifier sophomore Brett Skyba.

“I was hoping to make it to state and trying to do my best,” said Skyba. “There’s a lot of fundraising to do, but it’s worth it.”