Riverside Business Professionals of America members continue to rack up the wins at the state-level competition.
Co-advisers Lindsay Wyan and Michelle Weadock report that the chapter will have students advancing to the 2022 national competition than ever before.
“We will be traveling with 26 Pirate competitors,” said Wyan, noting that the student organization is grateful to Ohio Hi Point Career Center for covering the majority of costs for competitors.
However, due to state guidelines, OHPCC cannot pay for attendees’ “food and fun” at the Dallas National Leadership Conference. As a result, Weadock said the organization will be on overdrive for fundraising over the next several weeks.
Between egg hunts for elementary students, restaurant spirit nights, junior high dances as well as a community concert with Nashville recording artist Matt Marinchick on April 24 at Riverbirch Farms, the advisors hope to cover these costs for participants.
“We get creative with our fundraisers,” Weadock said. “We’re hoping that the community can help support the students, but also get something in return. Whether that be a car wash or a day of entertainment at Riverbirch Farms — we can help offset the financial burden to individual families.
“Students work hard and in return, often get the trip of a lifetime.”
This year’s national event tours will include time in Waco, Texas, at the Magnolia Markets where they will learn about some of the business practices and entrepreneurial lessons that Chip and Joanna Gaines have used. Students will also hike a national park, where archeologists have a dig site for the prehistoric Columbian Mammoths that were recently uncovered. The participants will also enjoy time at the Dallas Aquarium, the AT&T Stadium and the downtown arts district. These adventures are in addition to the competitions, professional development classes and networking opportunities these students will experience.
Following their performance at the Columbus Convention Center March 11, students advancing to nationals include: Taylor Mees – Fundamental Word Processing; Allison Buchenroth – Advanced Office Procedures; Rayce Yelton – Legal Office Procedures; Alaina Snow – Presentation Management; Riley Leeper – Health Administration.
The youngest Parliamentary Procedure team ever in the school’s history will be advancing to national competition as well. Team members include freshmen Brice Kauffman and Gavin Orsborne, senior leader Brody Rhoads, junior Tyler Knight, senior Grace Brownlee, junior Rachel Knight, freshman Jaidyn Jackson and senior Kara Kauffman.
Also at the national competition, the following Statesman Torch Award winners also will be recognized with their Ambassador Torch Award for receiving 70 points in each service learning category: Grace Brownlee, Jayden Burchett, Kaelan Copas, Chase Davidson, Rozlynn Estep, Martha Godinez, Anastasia Gonzalex, Malaina Jenkins, Allison Reisinger, Hannah Reisinger, Brody Rhoads, Janessa Sacks, Kirstin Schlumbohm, Alaina Snow and Rayce Yelton.
Other top 10 finishers at the state contest included: Rielee Richmond – Banking and Finance; Zach Armbruster – Economic Research (Individual); Sam Knight – Graphic Design Promotion; Daisy Armbruster – HR Management; Audrey Kopus – Ethics & Professionalism; Rozlynn Estep – Prepared Speech; Hailey Noggler – Health Leadership; Owen Holycross, Maddie Sandord, Jade Copas, Keniana Notestine – Administrative Support; Chase Davidson & Malaina Jenkins – Economic Research Team.
Also at the state competition, Statesman Torch Award recipients who earned 50 points in each of the seven categories (Leadership, Service, Knowledge, Friendship, Cooperation, Patriotism and Faith, Hope and Love) included Owen Holycross, Ava Klingler, Trinity Notestine, Olivia Perk and Jenna Woods.
If you would like to sponsor a student or one of the many fundraising events, contact Lindsay Wyan or Michelle Weadock at [email protected] or [email protected].