Oklahoma members of Business Professionals of America brought home two national officers and 34 national championships, along with many other awards, from the BPA National Leadership Conference in Chicago, Illinois.
Oklahoma took a delegation of 380 students from 69 chapters to the conference, where they competed against more than 6,700 students from across the country.
Makayla Adams, Cashion High School, was elected national parliamentarian, and Thomas Branson, also of Cashion High School was elected national treasurer. Adams also represented Oklahoma in the parade of associations.
Oklahoma’s middle level BPA students earned two finalist positions and brought home two national championships, while secondary level students earned six finalist spots and brought home one second-place finish and five national championships.
Postsecondary students earned 60 finalist positions and brought home 14 third-place finishes, 19 second-place finishes and 27 national championships.
In addition, the Francis Tuttle Technology Center - Deer Creek High School team reached the finals in the National Virtual Event Showcase.
Oklahoma chapters earned 30 BPA Cares Awards across various categories, and 27 Oklahoma students received the Ambassador Torch award, highlighting their exceptional community service and advocacy within BPA. Oklahoma earned the traveling Post Secondary Professional Cup for the third consecutive year, and 22 Oklahoma chapters earned the National BPA Quality Chapter of Distinction Award.
In addition, Oklahoma BPA students further solidified their career readiness: 149 students tested for industry certifications, with 95 successfully passing in industry tests sponsored by Certiport, TestOut and YouScience.
Students weren’t the only ones receiving recognition. Several Oklahoma advisers also received honors for the years they have dedicated to shaping future business leaders. Susanne Silk, Western Technology Center, Sayre, was honored for 25 years of service. Also, five advisers were recognized for 20 years, seven for 15 years, eight for 10 years and 17 for five years of service.
“This remarkable showing at the NLC exemplifies the exceptional talent and dedication of Oklahoma BPA students, advisers and chapters,” said Paxton Cavin, Oklahoma BPA adviser at the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education. “Their achievements demonstrate a commitment to excellence in business education, leadership development and creating positive change in their communities.”
Oklahoma made contributions to National BPA leadership.
Athena Frank, who is retired from Central Technology Center in Drumright, was elected to a three-year term on the National Board of Trustees and will serve as the board treasurer. Amy McClure, Northwest Technology Center in Fairview, was elected to a three-year term on the National BPA Board of Trustees.
Cavin completed her second term as National Board of Trustees chair and will continue serving on the board as past chair for 2024-25.
BPA is one of seven CareerTech student organizations affiliated with CareerTech programs. It is affiliated with business and information technology education. The other six are DECA (marketing education), FCCLA (family and consumer sciences education), FFA (agricultural education), HOSA (health careers education), SkillsUSA (trade and industrial education) and Technology Student Association (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).
Oklahoma CareerTech: Education that works for you
The Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education provides leadership and resources and assures standards of excellence for a comprehensive statewide system of career and technology education. The system offers programs and services in 29 technology center districts operating on 60 campuses, 397 PK-12 school districts, 16 Skills Centers campuses that include three juvenile facilities and 32 adult education and family literacy providers.
The agency is governed by the State Board of Career and Technology Education and works closely with the State Department of Education and the State Regents for Higher Education to provide a seamless educational system for all Oklahomans.
