A total of 40 Riverside/Ohio Hi-Point Career Center Business Professionals of America members have qualified to compete at the state contest this spring following their performances at the recent regional contest at Ohio Northern University.
“Many of our students placed in more than one competition, however, current guidelines state that they may only advance in one competition,” co-adviser Lindsay Wyan said. “This is often a very tough decision for many students as they do so well in multiple contests.”
This year at the regional event, Riverside students were called to the stage 113 times in 38 different contests
In addition to the competition, students were about to take tours of the ONU campus, eat in the dining room, participate in social and networking activities with students from other schools in the region.
“I had a lot of fun at ONU,” said freshman Gavin Orsborne. “I wasn’t as nervous as I thought I would be and was actually pretty confident in myself. Our parliamentary procedure team won regionals and we will advance to state to compete. The day was super fun and enjoyable.”
Co-adviser Michelle Weadock said the Riverside students earned all 33 Diplomat Torch Awards in the region. The Torch Award system is a program that recognizes students for their work in leadership, knowledge, service, patriotism, friendship, cooperation and love, hope and faith.
Riverside state qualifiers include: Banking & Finance – Andrew Knight, Rielee Richmond; Economic Research Individual – Zach Armbruster; Economic Research Team – Chase Davidson, Malaina Jenkins; Personal Financial Management – Madison Mescher, Adyen Clary; Fundamental Word Processing – Taylor Mees; Basic Office Systems & Procedures – Skylar Barhorst; Advanced Office Systems & Procedures – Allison Buchenroth; Legal Office Procedures – Rayce Yelton, Andrew Stroud; Administrative Support Team – Owen Holycross, Jade Copas, Maddie Sanford, Kieanna Notestine; Business Law & Ethics – Jailyn Leeper; Fundamental Desktop Publishing – Ava Klingler, Cassie May; Graphic Design Promotion – Sam Knight; Podcast Production Team – Jenna Woods, Alaina Heath, Kirstin Schlumbohm, Trinity Notestine; Advanced Interview Skills – Briana Bradley; Human Resource Management – Daisy Armbruster; Ethics & Professionalism – Audrey Kopus; Prepared Speech – Rozlynn Estep; Parliamentary Procedure Team – Kara Kauffman, Grace Brownlee, Brody Rhoads, Tyler Knight, Rachel Knight, Brice Kauffman, Jaidyn Jackson, Gavin Orsborne; Presentation Management Individual – Alaina Snow; Health Administration Procedures – Riley Leeper, Siera Barhorst; Health Administration Leadership/Special Topics – Hailey Noggler.
Wyan and Weadock co-advise the 113 Riverside BPA student members.
“As the largest team in the school,” Wyan said, “there is a lot of coordination and details to be worked out for each and every student not just during this competition season, but on a weekly basis to make sure each student is aware of all of the opportunities available.
“Being a co-curricular program means that the classroom learning is extended into the real world work that is replicated in these contests.”
“Our organization is an extremely diverse one,” Weadock said. “However, our students come together for their common purpose and work well as one. Whether students normally excel in athletics, academics, the arts or simply have not found their niche, there is a place for them in BPA.”