Eight Clarkston High School students competed in the Business Professionals of America 2019 State Leadership Competition, March 15-17 in Grand Rapids. State qualifiers competing in fields from finance to medical to technology included Richard Budny, Nathan Dimmer, Cameron Hempton, Logan Malone, Thomas McCarty, David Moss, Laura Norrito, and Nathan Sesti.
Four students qualified for the National Leadership Conference taking place May 1-5, 2019 in Anaheim, Calif., by medaling in the following events:
Richard Budny: second place in C++ Programming; third place in Java Programming; and Gold in Computer Programming Concepts;
Nathan Dimmer: first place in Computer Networking Technologies; first place PC Servicing & Troubleshooting; Gold in Information Technology Concepts; Silver in Administrative Support Concepts; Bronze in Computer Programming Concepts;
David Moss: Gold in Financial Math & Analysis Concepts; and
Nathan Sesti: second place in Java Programming; fifth place in SQL Database Fundamentals; Silver in Computer Programming Concepts.
“The state conference was a fantastic learning experience and opportunity to competitively realize my rarities,” said Sesti, CHS junior.
Nathan Dimmer and David Moss also received the Statesman Torch Award for their volunteer service in seven categories: Leadership; Service; Cooperation; Knowledge; Friendship; Love, Hope, Faith; and Patriotism.
Business Professionals of America has more than 45,000 members, in over 1,800 chapters across 25 states. For over 50 years, BPA has provided its members with opportunities for growth through education, competition, community service and personal development.
A major component of BPA is the Workplace Skills Assessment Program (WSAP). The WSAP prepares students for real world career skills in finance, management, information technology, and computer applications. There are more than 90 categories for students to prepare for and compete in contests to demonstrate their knowledge and skills.
“I’m really proud of how well our team performed, especially in computer events,” said Dimmer, CHS BPA President. “I wish the best of luck to everyone moving on to Nationals.”