Courtesy photo The Bay College/LSSU Regional Center Business Professionals of America (BPA) student club had a successful competition at the BPA State Leadership Conference, Shown are: back row, from left, David Rivard, Dylan Messina, Austin DeGrand, Erik Beals, and Michael Rivard; front row, from left, Michigan BPA State Director Maurice Henderson, Angie Wilson, Maia Roll, Nicole Noblet, Charles-John Manansala, and BPA Advisor Brent Madalinski.

ESCANABA — This past Saturday night was a very exciting evening for the Bay College/LSSU Regional Center Business Professionals of America (BPA) student club. Out of the club’s nine student contestants, all nine placed in the top three of their respective events at the BPA State Leadership Conference (SLC) hosted by Davenport University in Grand Rapids, Mich. They all have qualified for the National competition in Dallas, Texas, slated for May 4-8, 2022.

Erik Beals led the way capturing four first place finishes in Administrative Support Concepts, Computer Security, Device Configuration and Troubleshooting, and Parliamentary Procedure Concepts. Erik also finished second place in Management, Marketing, and Human Resources Concepts, as well a third-place finish in Project Management Concepts.

Dylan Messina earned three first place finishes in Business Meeting Management Concepts, Digital Communication and Design Concepts, and Linux Operating System Fundamentals. Dylan also took 2nd in Computer Security, Device Configuration & Troubleshooting, and Digital Marketing Concepts.

Austin DeGrand took first in Banking and Finance and Business Law and Ethics. He also placed second in Financial Math and Analysis Concepts and Fundamental Desktop Publishing. He finished third in Digital Marketing Concepts.

Michael Rivard took first place in Contemporary Issues. Nicole Noblet took first place in Fundamental Desktop Publishing.

David Rivard finished second in C# Programming and Python Programming. Angie Wilson placed third in Health Administration Procedures. Charles-John Manansala placed third in Ethics and Professionalism. Maia Roll placed third in Administrative Support Concepts.

Officially formed in 1966 as the Office Education Association (OEA), Business Professionals of America (BPA) has a strong history as a student organization that contributes to the preparation of global professionals through the advancement of leadership, citizenship, academic and technological skills for students at the Middle, Secondary and Post-secondary levels.