Twenty-two Oxford High School students achieved what everyone climbing the ladder in the business world is constantly striving for ? success.
Their success came at the regional competition for the Business Professionals of America (BPA) held Dec. 17 at Baker College in Flint.
These Oxford BPA members placed high enough to earn the right to compete in the state finals in Grand Rapids in March.
‘Every year, our BPA chapter has had students win at states and move on to nationals,? said Maria Wolbert, a career and technical education teacher at OHS who serves as BPA advisor along with fellow teacher Lisa Butts. ‘With the top-notch competitors we have this year, I really expect no less than that. I know we’ll have some move on to nationals. We have some really sharp students.?
‘I have really high hopes because I see extreme motivation (on the students? part),? she added.
BPA is the leading career technical student organization for young people pursuing careers in business management, office administration, information technology and other related fields. The organization has more than 51,000 members spread across more than 2,300 chapters in 23 states.
Junior Stephen Reynolds was the big winner for Oxford at regionals. He took first place in the Computer Programming Concepts competition, second place in the Fundamentals of Web Design competition and second place in C++ Programming.
‘He’s new to BPA, so that was exceptional,? Wolbert said. ‘He has quite a mind.?
Reynolds is a student in Wolbert’s advanced ‘Webmasters? class.
‘He has such an amazing analytical mind,? she said. ‘He thinks way outside the box. He doesn’t wait for you to teach him. He’ll do work at home, figure (a problem) out, then come in and tell you he thinks he found a fix.?
Wolbert was proud as a peacock that three of the five students who placed in the Fundamentals of Web Design competition are in her Webmasters class. They are Reynolds (second place), Gregory Martin (third) and Jordan Veach (fourth).
She was also proud of students Joseph Green, Kyler Crabill, Tyler Stresky and Gregory Martin for taking second place in the Website Design Team competition.
This is the fifth consecutive year that Oxford students have earned either first or second place in this competition.
As always, Wolbert is extremely grateful to all the OHS teachers who helped BPA students by tutoring them, mentoring them, providing feedback and sharing their expertise. These teachers included David Binkley, Pat Crowe, Matt Johnson and Chaz Millard.
‘It’s just amazing how the teachers embrace and assist the students, even though they’re not getting paid extra. They do it out of the goodness of their heart,? Wolbert said.
Wolbert credited Johnson with helping BPA member Hannah Schonfeld take first in the Graphic Design Promotion competition.
‘We’ve won a number of times before, but never first place,? she said.
The Oxford BPA chapter’s showing at regionals was particularly impressive considering how many members couldn’t go because they were ill with the flu. ‘We have 35 members, but only 25 boarded the bus,? Wolbert said. ‘It really hit us hard.?
The Oxford BPA chapter is only six years old, but Wolbert predicts a bright future based on the current crop of students.
‘What I really love about this group is we have ninth-graders all the way up to 12th-graders,? she said. ‘I absolutely am thrilled that we’re having some of the younger students get involved (so they) can progress through the years and grow with BPA.?
With each passing year as they ‘competitively showcase their knowledge and skills,? Wolbert said students ‘really learn how to be a team player,? develop a true sense of professionalism and ‘grow so much as individuals.?
‘I’ve seen people who never wanted to talk in front of others become exceptional speakers before judges,? she said.
The Oxford BPA chapter is looking for financial contributions to help send its members to the state competition. Each student must raise $300, plus have spending money, according to Wolbert.
‘If anybody is willing to invest in BPA and the students? future and education, we are accepting donations,? she said.
For more information about donating, please contact Wolbert via e-mail at maria.wolbert@oxfordschools.org

2015 BPA state qualifiers
Advanced Accounting
3rd Place: Kristen Evans; 5th Place: Evelin Roque
Basic Office Systems & Procedures
3rd Place: Sabrina Major
Broadcast News Production Team
1st Place: Harrison Lavins, Aidan Schieber,
Alicia Kuligowski and Brenda Martinez
C++ Programming
2nd Place: Stephen Reynolds
Economic Research Team
1st Place: Izaak Ossege, Alexander Mazurek, Olivia Eckola and Kayla Krebs
Fundamental Desktop Publishing
5th Place: Carlie DelaPaz
Fundamentals of Web Design
2nd Place: Stephen Reynolds; 3rd Place: Gregory Martin; 4th Place: Jordan Veach
Graphic Design Premotion
1st Place: Hannah Schonfeld
Interview Skills
3rd Place: Emilee Knop
6th Place (Alternate): Alyssa Hurlburt
Website Design Team
2nd Place: Joseph Green, Kyler Crabill, Tyler Stresky and Gregory Martin
Business Spelling
5th Place: Jordan Veach
Computer Programming Concepts
1st Place: Stephen Reynolds; 5th Place: Dryden Calcaterra
Financial Math and Analysis
3rd Place: Dryden Calcaterra