Groups of students gather, some reciting lines for presentations, others getting ready to code, all with the same goal: to give purpose to potential.
Business Professionals of America (BPA) is a career and technical student organization that has become a huge force at Lebanon Trail this year, boasting around 300 members. The organization is committed to providing events catering to students with a wide range of interests, along with opportunities to showcase and enhance their leadership and life skills on a professional platform.
A notable feature of the LTHS BPA this school year is its inclusivity, with no prerequisites for joining.
“The enrollment form has already passed, and we are currently doing event registration for everyone,” Agrawal said.
Participation in BPA does come with a fee of $75, covering membership fees and a distinctive club shirt. However, the benefits are extensive, including the opportunity to compete in two events (one individual and one team event), and any funds generated go back to the students.
BPA’s reach extends nationwide, offering students the chance to compete in various career fields.
“BPA is an America-wide organization,” BPA President Tanvi Agrawal said. “Students can compete in any potential passion they might have in business including finance, management, information systems, and health.”
BPA also offers a distinct set of events called virtual events which are only available at the national level and are open to all BPA student members. There are no regional or state competitions to qualify. The purpose of the national virtual events is to support BPA students who want to compete in a national event but are limited in travel due to budget cuts or limited support from their home school.
“These are more extensive than a regular event, and a straightforward route to go to nationals,” BPA Vice President of Recruitment Kishan Sivakumar said.
BPA also offers a torch awards program which is designed to promote professionalism and leadership in both career development and personal growth providing a holistic experience. Completing certain tasks can allow students to earn either an Executive, Diplomat, Statesman or Ambassador Torch Award certificate.
“[Students] achieve a number of points in seven different categories ranging from leadership, citizenship, love, faith, hope, and soft skills,” BPA Vice President of Social Media Nikhil Kotta said.
With the offering of a wide range of events the skills students can gain varies.
“If [students] go to a presentation event [their] speaking skills could improve,” Sivakumar said. “If [students] go to an application-based computer science event like on the spot coding, [their] problem-solving skills [improve].”
BPA has had a long held history of a field trip, Mavs’ Day. BPA and DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) students come together to go to a basketball game to watch the Mavericks play.
“We are unable to do Mavs’ day because we are starting so late,” Agrawal said. “Not this year, but we will definitely do it next year.”
Beyond competitions and accolades, BPA opens doors for students to gain invaluable experiences. Members can connect with professionals in their chosen fields, fostering networking opportunities that extend beyond the high school setting.
“The experience is invaluable, and [students] get to meet so many new people,” Agrawal said. “All the events, including the trip to Disney, make BPA a truly exceptional club that I will look back on in my college years.”
