ISU students place high at National Business Professionals of America conference

Students in the Idaho State University College of Education chapter of the Business Professionals of America (BPA) brought home national awards, including one first-place finish, to ISU recently.

Seven ISU BPA members competed at the National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, Calif.

Frankie Alvarez, a business education major in the College of Education was awarded first place in Presentation Management, Individual category.  Alvarez credits the technology skills she learned in Education 311, "Integration of Technology in Education," as a major factor in her success during this national student competition. She plans to student teach this fall and to graduate in December with a degree in business education from ISU. Students in that course interact with technology using a problem-based approach to learning.

Other business education students receiving competitive awards at the national conference include Spencer Christensen, second, "Fundamental Spreadsheet" and, fourth, "Banking and Finance"; Anna Aldous, second, "Medical Office Procedures," and fifth, "Desktop Publishing"; Rebecca Kelsch, fifth in both "Basic Office Systems and Procedures" and "Presentation Management Skills Individual"; KC Harding, top 10, in "Advanced Interview Skills"; and Gabe Rivas, top 10 in "Legal Office Procedures."

Students participated in a series of competitive events and attended workshops while attending the conference with their College of Education faculty sponsors, Professor Roger Rankin and Associate Lecturer Brenda Jacobsen. 

"The competitive events support everything that a teacher or business person would need to succeed. But the National Leadership Conference is so much more than a competition, but that is certainly why most attend," Jacobsen said. "The ISU students would probably say the networking is the greatest benefit."

The students also remain connected to the national officers, talk with individuals who have similar career interests and network with one other.

"They would also definitely say the travel opportunities are important. Some are avid travelers while others have never left the state," Jacobsen said. "Attending the national conference is a big eye opener for many."

Members and competitors from previous years mentor the new members in event strategies and techniques.  They encourage each other in technology skills and they set a bar of high expectations.  The ISU BPA chapter members included members from Twin Falls to Dubois in 2010, who communicated online to prepare and work toward a successful conference.”

Several students also held posts during the conference. KC Harding served as the Super Intern to the National Officer Team and as National Officer Coordinator for the conference. Kayla Bailey, Gabe Rivas and Spencer Christensen, all students in the business education program, served as Super Interns to the Production Company during the Live from the Red Carpet event prior to the awards ceremony.  

###