Business Professionals of America compete at the State Leadership Conference

This past weekend Business Professionals of America (BPA) traveled to Des Moines, Iowa to compete in the State Leadership Conference. The qualifying competitors will move on to nationals in Dallas, Texas.

Abbie Weipert

Many West High students traveled to Des Moines to compete in the State Leadership Conference. Photo courtesy of Abbie Weipert.

Olivia Dachtler, Photographer
February 28, 2018

Each year, West High’s Business Professionals of America travel to the state conference in Des Moines. This year, many of the competing students placed and will move on to Dallas, Texas for nationals. Group leader Diane Fickel said she was very pleased with how the students performed this year.

“This year we had twenty-five students qualified for nationals, last year we qualified eighteen,” she said.

Last year, Joe Briddle ‘18 was elected state officer, while this year Jason Strunk ‘19 and Maddy Luegering ‘19 were elected for positions. Fickel has high hopes for these students, among the other qualifiers.

“I would like to take home at least two National Place finishers this year,” she said. “The competition is very stiff, but we are well prepared.”

Fickel said she believes that BPA is a program that strengthens students in a unique way.

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“In BPA you set yourself apart from others in this competitive world by learning professional skills,” she said. “The BPA chapter at West High provides opportunities for students to network, create meaningful relationships and participate in opportunities you do not get in the classroom.”