Fruitport students score big at national business conference

Fri, May 16, 2008    to del.icio.us

Three Fruitport High School students placed among the top 10 in the nation at the National Business Professionals of America leadership conference, held May 9-10 in Reno, Nev.

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Senior Paige Davis placed second in Interview Skills; senior Anthony Coles placed third in Management, Marketing and Human Resources; and senior Zach Bohley placed eighth in C++ Programming, a computer programming language.

"We have had other students attend (national BPA competitions), but this is the first time we have had anyone from Fruitport place (in the top 10)," said FHS teacher and BPA co-advisor Lynn Vanderberg. "It was all pretty exciting — and then to have all three place, well, that was really exciting."

The three student competitors were joined at the competition by FHS junior Marissa Bo, who was elected to a state officer position for Michigan and assisted in several leadership roles throughout the conference.

FHS science teacher Jay Stebelton also came along as a chaperone, since the BPA advisors were unable to attend.

Business Professionals of America is a national career/technical student organization for business and technology students. It prepares students for the workforce by emphasizing leadership, academic and technological skills.

More than 6,000 conference delegates from across the nation attended last week's competition in Reno, where they participated in business skill competitions, workshops and general information sessions.

The Fruitport students earned the right to compete at the national level after doing well at both the regional and state competitions, held earlier this year.

Going into the awards ceremony on Saturday evening, Coles said he didn't think he had done enough to earn a spot in the top 10.

"I was so nervous — but I think that made it more fun, thinking that I hadn't done well," said Coles. "It was just such a surprise to get third."

Coles said his experience with BPA has been valuable and has affected his future career choices. The teen is currently considering becoming a translator and owning his own business.

"What we learned down there, and meeting all of these people from other states and even from other countries — it was just an amazing experience," he said. "I think it's one of the best things I've ever done."

Vanderberg said she was proud of her students for making it so far.

"They worked very hard for this — they've been practicing since October," she said. "They were very excited, and definitely earned it."