The four Minnewaska Area High School students who attended the BPA National Conference included (from left): Molly Hjelm, Alexandra Carlson, Xi Li and Daisy Lin.

Xi Li takes fifth in nation; BPA Advisor Karna Palmer honored for 25 years

Four Minnewaska Area High School individuals attended the Business Professionals of America (BPA) National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, Calf. on April 26-30th. 

Xi Li competed in Computer Modeling category and took fifth in the nation; Daisy Lin competed in both Graphic Design Promotion and Fundamental Desktop Publishing;  and Molly Hjelm received the Ambassador Torch Award for volunteering and activities in BPA; Alexandra Carlson represented Minnesota as a voting delegate to nominate the next national officer team. Carlson was a state officer for Minnesota this year. 

BPA Advisor Karna Palmer was recognized at the National Leadership Conference for 25 years of time and dedication to the student members of BPA.

Eleven of 14 Laker BPA members qualified for state competition

Minnewaska’s Business Professionals of America (BPA) attended regional competition in January. Two Minnewaska Area High School BPA members, Molly Hjelm and Xi Li, were regional officers and helped organize and run the day’s events.  Minnewaska had 11 out of its 14 members qualify for the state competition, which was held in Minneapolis in March. 

The results of the state competition follow:

Health Administration Procedures: Molly Hjelm (3rd), Alexx Carlson (7th), Katie Sorenson (Honorable Mention)

Fundamental Desktop Publishing: Daisy Lin (1st), Tabbi Durand (7th), Izzy Bautista (Honorable Mention).

Banking and Finance: Molly Hjelm (4th)

Fundamental Word Processing: Daisy Lin (3rd).

Administrative Support Research Project: Hailey Spiering (1st).

Graphic Design Promotion: Daisy Lin (1st), Hailey Spiering (Honorable Mention).

Computer Modeling: Xi Li (1st).

Visual Design Team: Tabbi Durand, Leandra Graham, Grayson Olson (3rd).

Small Business Management Team: Blake Nelson & Connor Quelle (1st).

Ethics and Professionalism: Blake Nelson (4th), Katy Vold (Honorable Mention).

Presentation Individual: Molly Hjelm (1st)

Health Insurance and Medical Billing: Katie Sorenson (4th)

Health Leadership and Special Topics: Alexx Carlson (1st)

Financial Math and Analysis: Blake Nelson (5th)

Digital Communication & Design Concepts: Grayson Olson (5th), Tabbi Durand (6th)

Medical Terminology Concepts: Alexx Carlson (2nd), Molly Hjelm (3rd), Tabbi Durand (Honorable Mention).

BPA members competed at the Minnesota High School BPA Convention in Minneapolis earning four of them a trip to the national conference in Anaheim, Calif.