Business Professionals of America, “BPA,” traveled to Florida for nationals after qualifying for state.

In Orlando, Florida, there were over 6,000 students competing, and in specific events there were 50 to 100 people. The team sent 22 competitors to represent Hinsdale Central.  The club was recognized with the BPA Community Action Award and the BPA Community Relief Award for their service throughout the year.

Isabella Anastassoff, freshman, placed first in the competition Management/Marketing/Human Resource Concepts and eighth place in Computerized Accounting.  Her goal was to place in the top 10 for both of her events.  “I definitely exceeded my expectations,” Anastassoff said.  Anastassoff prepared all year for the competition by studying on her own and also learning from her Accounting Honors Class.

According to Claire Hopkins, junior, the team prepared differently than for regionals or state.  “It was more about fixing little things in our PowerPoint than completely starting from scratch,” Hopkins said.  They also made themselves stand out by bringing props, folders, and handouts.

“We would meet a lot a head of time and decide what we wanted our business to look like.  We had to prepare marketing techniques, financial summaries, and everything else that makes up a business plan,” Hopkins said.  Hopkins and her team won third for small business management.   “I knew the competition at Nationals would be really tough, but I thought our business plan was solid and well thought out,” Hopkins said.

The team consisted of Megan Sharp, junior, and Jen Gust, junior.  This was one of the most popular categories, and they competed against 40 to 50 teams.  In their category they created an entire business plan for a struggling sports store. They created the small business, Vica Pota, and their goal was to make the business successful again.

Erik Maday, junior, was a top 10 national finalist.  He competed in the events Advanced Desktop Publishing and won first and also Fundamentals in Web Design, where he placed seventh.  “I never imagined that I would place at nationals, let alone win,” Maday said.  This was his first year being a part of BPA.

For Kate Ryan, junior, this was her second year being involved in BPA.  In her part of the competition she had an hour and a half to complete a large set of jobs.  She qualified in the top 20 at nationals, which she was very proud about.  “The atmosphere is very competitive but encouraging,” Ryan said.