The old Wildcat roar was heard loud and clear at the Business Professionals of America (BPA) state competition held over the weekend in Grand Rapids as 12 Oxford High School students were recognized for their talents and abilities.
‘I think the students did a great job this year,? said OHS teacher Bruce Holladay, who serves as a BPA co-adviser along with Maria Wolbert and Lisa Butts. ‘We had a great showing at states.?
OHS senior Hannah Ex, co-president of the local BPA chapter, was elected to a state executive officer position. She will serve as the BPA state historian for the 2014-15 term.
The election earned her a $10,000 scholarship to Northwood University in Midland. Ex plans to study advertising and marketing.
BPA is the leading career technical student organization for students pursuing careers in business management, office administration, information technology and other related fields. The organization has more than 51,000 members spread across more than 2,300 chapters in 23 states.
OHS senior Tyler Scott, co-president of the Oxford BPA chapter, earned first place in computer programming. He plans to attend either Purdue or Northwestern to pursue a career in computer engineering.
Kati Flanagan took second place in the interview skills event, while the team of Ryan Myers, Aidan Schieber and Maryann Stockard won second place in the broadcast news team event.
Winning third place in the web site design team event were Joe Green, Alyssa Hurlburt, Elise Ormiston and Nathan Thompson.
Mike Harris took third in the financial and math analysis event and finished fourth in the economic research team event with his partner, Caitlyn Ulinski.
Scott, Flanagan, Stockard, Schieber, Myers and Harris will all go on to compete at BPA’s National Leadership Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana April 30 through May 4. Ez will also attend due to her new state position.
‘They’re all great kids and they all totally deserve to be there,? Holladay said. ‘I wouldn’t be surprised if we came home with a few medals from nationals this year.?