From left, top row, are Eric Gohl, Thomas McCarty, Sam Skene, Cameron Hempton, Nathan Sesti, Daniel Heller, and James Hogg; second row, David Moss, Dominic Jolley, Laura Norrito, Grace Sielinski, Ben Garvin, Valentina Vargas, and Farhiya Osman; first row, Logan Malone, Jason McInally, Addison Gale, Sydney Havens, Amelia Ames, Meghan Finnerty, and Nathan Dimmer; not pictured, Richard Budny. Photo provided

Twenty-two Clarkston High School Business Professionals of America (BPA) members competed at the Michigan BPA Region 7 Conference in Flint on Dec. 19.
Overall, Clarkston students placed in the top six in 22 different events including Java and C++ programing, computer networking, accounting and finance, and interview skills.
Students qualifying to move on to the BPA State Leadership Conference in Grand Rapids on March 14-17 include Richard Budny, Nathan Dimmer, Meghan Finnerty, Eric Gohl, Cameron Hempton, Logan Malone, Thomas McCarty, David Moss, Nathan Sesti, Grace Sielinski, and Valentina Vargas.
Dimmer, CHS sophomore, qualified for six events, and set a new CHS record with four first place finishes.
“I’m really happy with how my hard work and practice paid off,” he said. “I’m excited to compete at States this Spring.”
Richard Budny, CHS junior and first year BPA member, qualified for three computer programming events, Java, C++, and Computer Programming Concepts.
“BPA was a great experience and I’m glad I got to compete,” said Budny.
Business Professionals of America started in 1966. BPA has more than 45,000 members, middle school through college levels, in over 1,800 chapters across 25 states and Puerto Rico. Over the past 50 years, BPA has provided its members with opportunities for growth through education, competition, community service, and personal development.
“I’m happy with how well our team performed in these really competitive events,” said Dimmer, CHS BPA president. “I think this group has a bright future, and I wish the best of luck to everyone advancing to States.”