A total of 45 Riverside/Ohio Hi-Point Career Center satellite Business Professionals of America students have qualified to compete at the state BPA contest during March following their performances at the Region 16 Business Professionals of America competition at the University of Northwestern Ohio in Lima.
More than 40 percent of the Riverside’s 111 BPA members will advance to state competition March 14 and 15, where they will have the chance to qualify for the National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, Calif., in May.
According to BPA co-advisers Lindsay Wyan and Michelle Weadock, students had major decisions to make during the awards ceremony. Many Riverside students qualified for the state contest in more than one category, but can only advance to state in one category.
“For many Riverside members, this is a very tough decision, especially when part of a team,” the advisers said. “Depending which contest a student decides to advance in, often a fourth- or fifth-place finisher gets the opportunity to compete at state.”
Also during the contest, 19 Riverside students received Torch Awards, which recognizes achievements in seven categories — Leadership, Friendship, Cooperation, Service, Knowledge, Patriotism and Love, Hope and Faith. To receive the regional award, students must earn 30 points in each of the seven categories.
Torch Award winners included Andrea Liebhart, Morgan Biddle, Grace Corwin, Owen Godwin, Kaitlyn Copas, Lydia Price, Lauryn Sanford, Sasha Stotler, Chase Davidson, Sierra Snow, Kayden Smith, Irvin Godinez, Hailey Carey, Spencer Hughes, Lane Willoby, Madison Wallen, Dora Bryant, Hanna Cooper and Kale Long.
For compete results from the contest, see the Facebook page for WDEQ 91.7 FM and Riverside BPA.
