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Pictured are, standing from left, Gabe Belanger, Caleb Reinke, Anthony Kurtz, Quinn Premo, Liam Johnson and Gabe Quevedo. Seated from left, Tatum Clark, Claire Zaupa, Leah Feldhausen and Dalaney Wagne. (Not pictured Jonnie Ketola) (Submitted photo.)
Pictured are, standing from left, Gabe Belanger, Caleb Reinke, Anthony Kurtz, Quinn Premo, Liam Johnson and Gabe Quevedo. Seated from left, Tatum Clark, Claire Zaupa, Leah Feldhausen and Dalaney Wagne. (Not pictured Jonnie Ketola) (Submitted photo.)
By Patrick Browne
CRYSTAL FALLS — The Forest Park School’s chapter of Business Professionals of America exceeded all expectations this year in winning the state competition and will be sending an unprecedented 11 team members to the National Competition in Chicago from May 10–14.
Teacher Debbie Smitson, a seasoned veteran of over 30 years, has been the Forest Park BPA advisor since 2001.
“Although we’ve had individuals qualify for the National Competition before, this is the first time we’ve had 11 students qualify during my tenure,” Smitson said.
The mission of BPA is to develop and empower student leaders to discover their passion and change the world. The empowering of students takes place by creating unmatched opportunities in learning, professional growth and service.
In order to foster these goals, BPA sponsors competitions in their Workplace Skills Assessment Program. This program is competitive in nature and has both individual and team events. There are more than 60 events in various areas related to financial, administrative support, information technology, management, marketing and Human Resources. Students compete at the regional, state and national levels.
“I feel it is an extension of my classroom,” Smitson said. “I want to help the students see how much they are learning and how important these skills are to their futures. Often students don’t realize how much they are learning until they compete against other schools. I see BPA as an extension of my classroom.”
The team will travel to Chicago and stay at the host hotel, the Palmer House, for four nights. In order to compete the team is required to stay at their assigned hotel for the duration.
“Although this will be an expensive opportunity, we believe our students are truly worth it,” Smitson said.
Similar to athletics, the teams must win at the Regional Level with only the top two teams and the top four individuals advancing to the State Competition. Taking the top spots at the State Competition permits individuals and teams to advance to the National Competition.
Senior Claire Zaupa is just one of the students who will be competing as a member of the Administrative Support Team in Chicago.
“We are really fortunate to have BPA design competitions that give us the opportunity to be competitive, learn business and people skills and how to use office applications.” She excitedly quipped, “This is our first time we’ve gone to nationals in the past three years! We’ve worked really hard to get better and hopefully we’ll place decently at nationals”
Fellow senior Anthony Kurtz, team captain of the Administrative Support Team was equally gracious about the opportunity, “BPA has allowed us to come together as a team to develop our skills. When we went to the State Competition one of the judges mentioned how well we work together.”
Although the trip to Nationals is a highlight of his education, he is more excited to see his 30 year veteran teacher fulfill the promise she made if the team made it to Nationals. “It means a lot that we placed first at the state competition, and I can’t wait to see our advisor do the cartwheel she promised, she would do a cartwheel for if we won! We’re still waiting,” he joked. “I can’t wait to see what she’ll do if we place first for nationals!”
For the small town team to earn a place at a National competition is a unique opportunity which can only happen if the students are able to find a way to fund their experience. Fish Fry dinners, a small raffle and other efforts have earned the students about half the cost. “We’re still hoping we can find a way to fund the experience. Any support that can be given to help these students achieve their dream of going to Nationals would be greatly appreciated,” stated Advisor Smitson.