Courtesy photo Above, the Stephenson High School chapter of Business Professionals of America recently attended the national convention in Dallas, Texas. Shown above are the chapter members, Joelle Beaudo, Madison Bergquist, Morgan Bergquist, Griffin Brown, Allie Cappaert, Tyler Engel, Lilly Grinsteiner, Krystle Kuntze, Tristan Kacynski, Logen Olson, Laci Paidl, Luke Paidl, Jonas Priebe, Donald Strazzinski, Lileana Thoune, Alyssa Verba and Lilyan Wagner

STEPHENSON — Seventeen students from Stephenson High School, along with advisors Anita Casperson and Lisa Cappaert, attended the Business Professionals of America (BPA) 2022 National Leadership Conference in Dallas, Texas May 3 through 8. Stephenson High School chapter members Joelle Beaudo, Madison Bergquist, Morgan Bergquist, Griffin Brown, Allie Cappaert, Tyler Engel, Lilly Grinsteiner, Krystle Kuntze, Tristan Kacynski, Logen Olson, Laci Paidl, Luke Paidl, Jonas Priebe, Donald Strazzinski, Lileana Thoune, Alyssa Verba and Lilyan Wagner joined over 6,000 other conference delegates from across the nation to participate in national level business skills competitions.

Besides having the opportunity to compete, the students experienced some of the sites in Dallas — the JFK Sixth Floor Museum and Dealey Plaza, the Shawnee Cattle Trail Site, and a tour of the AT&T Stadium. The group also attended a Medieval-times dinner and tournament show, which encouraged the audience to participate by cheering on their knight while he competed in the joust and other tests of skill. They also attended a Texas hoedown hosted by Business Professionals of America, where they enjoyed food, games and other activities. Another highlight of the trip for our students was making new friends from other states and learning how to line dance.

Stephenson students experienced success at the national conference and earned nine awards:

1st place — The parliamentary procedure team whose members are Joelle Beaudo, Morgan Bergquist, Griffin Brown, Allie Cappaert and Alyssa Verba

1st place — Allie Cappaert in the Parliamentary Procedure Concepts competition

1st place — Lilyan Wagner in the Intermediate Word Processing competition

2nd place — Joelle Beaudo in the Parliamentary Procedure Concepts competition

3rd place — Griffin Brown in the Parliamentary Procedure Concepts competition

3rd place — Madison Bergquist in the Intermediate Word Processing competition

4th place — Alyssa Verba in the Parliamentary Procedure Concepts competition

4th place — Lilyan Wagner in Basic Office Systems & Procedures competition

6th place — Morgan Bergquist in the Parliamentary Procedure Concepts competition

This was the 23rd time that the Stephenson Parliamentary Procedure Team has earned first place at the National Leadership Conference.

At a special honors assembly on Friday, Allie Cappaert, Lilly Grinsteiner, Krystle Kuntze, Laci Paidl and Lileana Thoune received an Ambassador Award for their involvement in the Stephenson chapter and community.

Besides their classroom instruction, students prepare for BPA competitions by practicing throughout the school year with their advisors and on their own. Practice times were scheduled for both before and after school to aid the students in their studies.

Business Professionals of America is a national organization for high school, college, and middle school students preparing for careers in business and information technology. The organization’s activities and programs complement classroom instruction by giving students practical experience through application of the skills learned at school. Business Professionals of America acts as a cohesive agent in the nationwide networking of education and business and industry. BPA is contributing to the preparation of a world-class workforce through the advancement of leadership, citizenship, academic, and technological skills. The Stephenson chapter of Business Professionals of America was assisted in their endeavors through many fundraising events and with generous financial support from many individuals, organizations and businesses.