BPA students headed to nationals
Competitors seek help with fundraising to represent Aitkin in California
Aitkin High School provides our students with many opportunities to participate in clubs and athletics, but one that may be less known is Business Professionals of America (BPA). This program helps develop and empower student leadership. It provides a professional outlook and helps prepare students for their future career. Not only that, it provides many great resources and experiences that help transform each student and prepare them for endless opportunities.
Over March 9-11, Aitkin High School’s Business Professionals of America team went to the State Leadership Conference in Minneapolis. The team was able to attend the opening ceremony, compete in their events, take part in the awards ceremony, and make new friends from the other schools in attendance. Two Aitkin events were able to advance to the National Leadership Conference (NLC), which will be held in Anaheim, California April 26-30. The two events consist of Kolbe VanPortfliet, who took first place in the prepared speech competition and the presentation management team of Hannah Slette, Ailie Kullhem, and Macy Paulbeck, who took second place.
The students expressed gratitude for BPA and said it has impacted their lives for the better. “It teaches you leadership skills, communication, dedication, and pride,” Kullhem said. “We have put a lot of hard work into our events and it is great to see that it has paid off. We have taken pride in our work and want to be able to share it with others. The National Leadership Conference allows us to do that. It helps expand the skills that we use inside and outside the professional world.” These four students are excited to go to NLC and represent our small town with pride. At the conference, they will compete in the categories they placed in at state. They will also be able to listen to keynote speakers and attend leadership workshops to help further all of their business skills. This experience will only further these students in life, setting them up for success early on.
These students are raising money for their airfare, transportation, food, and hotel fees. They are not financially able to attend without help from community members and groups who will be able to support them in their journey. There is an estimated cost of around $1,500 per person, making the total cost to attend about $6,000. The club plans on bagging groceries at Paulbecks County Market in the late Spring. The national qualifiers have received generous donations from the Miss Aitkin Organization, the Aitkin Lions Club, Aitkin Community Education, and private donations. Any donation would be appreciated. If you are interested in contributing please contact the Aitkin School District or BPA advisor Mr. Scott Miller at [email protected] to donate to Aitkin BPA.
Over March 9-11, Aitkin High School’s Business Professionals of America team went to the State Leadership Conference in Minneapolis. The team was able to attend the opening ceremony, compete in their events, take part in the awards ceremony, and make new friends from the other schools in attendance. Two Aitkin events were able to advance to the National Leadership Conference (NLC), which will be held in Anaheim, California April 26-30. The two events consist of Kolbe VanPortfliet, who took first place in the prepared speech competition and the presentation management team of Hannah Slette, Ailie Kullhem, and Macy Paulbeck, who took second place.
The students expressed gratitude for BPA and said it has impacted their lives for the better. “It teaches you leadership skills, communication, dedication, and pride,” Kullhem said. “We have put a lot of hard work into our events and it is great to see that it has paid off. We have taken pride in our work and want to be able to share it with others. The National Leadership Conference allows us to do that. It helps expand the skills that we use inside and outside the professional world.” These four students are excited to go to NLC and represent our small town with pride. At the conference, they will compete in the categories they placed in at state. They will also be able to listen to keynote speakers and attend leadership workshops to help further all of their business skills. This experience will only further these students in life, setting them up for success early on.
These students are raising money for their airfare, transportation, food, and hotel fees. They are not financially able to attend without help from community members and groups who will be able to support them in their journey. There is an estimated cost of around $1,500 per person, making the total cost to attend about $6,000. The club plans on bagging groceries at Paulbecks County Market in the late Spring. The national qualifiers have received generous donations from the Miss Aitkin Organization, the Aitkin Lions Club, Aitkin Community Education, and private donations. Any donation would be appreciated. If you are interested in contributing please contact the Aitkin School District or BPA advisor Mr. Scott Miller at [email protected] to donate to Aitkin BPA.