Three Glasgow High School seniors will be participating in the Business Professionals of America (BPA) National competition April 30 through May 5 in Anaheim, Calif. Micah Tweten, Natosha Sand and Dillon Godwin will be participating in competitions related to the business world. Approximately 315 Montana students, as well as students from across the country, will be attending and vying for a shot at a National title.

At Nationals, Tweten will be competing in Advanced Spreadsheet Applications, Sand will be competing in Digital Publishing and Godwin will be competing in Fundamentals of Web Design. Godwin placed eighth in Fundamentals of Web Design at State March 12, and didn't think he would be going to Nationals, to later find out he got bumped to fifth place as a result of other students, who placed higher than him, participating in other events. "I was bummed to find out at State I didn't make it, but then was happy to find out I was going," stated Godwin. Tweten, Godwin and Kaylee Ross also participated in Website Design as a team at State, but unfortunately the team was just one place short of placing for Nationals.

"Some schools are very BPA-centered, so students participate in many different competitions at the State level. Depending on where they place, they can only compete in one competition at Nationals. So a student who does really well in their competitions and is eligible for Nationals in all of them, can choose which one they participate in, which gives other students the opportunity to compete," said BPA advisor Jill Page.

Participating in BPA is nothing new for these three students as they have been a part of the club for the majority of their high school career. "Last year, the students did really well at Regionals, however unfortunately State was the same time as the Washington, D.C., trip so not as many students were able to compete," said Page. BPA has certainly had an impact on their lives as all three students plan on utilizing the skills they have learned in their years with BPA past their high school career. "If my college doesn't have BPA, I might as well start it," stated Sand, with Tweten echoing, "I do want to participate in BPA in college."

Page has been the advisor for BPA for 17 years and this is the first year under her stewardship students are attending Nationals. She recalled the last time a GHS student went to Nationals was under Rod Karst when he took Michelle (Markle) Huntsman. "I have had these students [Godwin, Tweten and Sand] since they were in Junior High. It's really exciting for me to see them get to Nationals. It has been so great seeing them grow," said Page.

All three students are currently fundraising to raise funds for this unexpected trip of a lifetime. They will be selling Little Caesars pizzas and talking to businesses to donate. They will also be selling concessions for track. If a donation would like to be made to these students outside of these fundraising opportunities, please drop off funds to the Glasgow High School attention BPA/Jill Page.

Results from BPA State Competition on March 12 in Dillion, Mont.

Dillon Godwin – eighth in Fundamentals of Web Design

sixth in Information Technology Concepts

Micah Tweten – third in Advanced Spreadsheet Applications

Natosha Sand – fifth in Digital Publishing

Micah Twesten, Dillon Godwin and Kaylee Ross – third in Web Site Design