Ririe BPA students head to nationals

Students from Ririe High School will soon showcase their business skills on a national level.

The group will head to Indianapolis at the end of April to compete against 6,000 other students from across the United States in the National Leadership Conference for Business Professionals of America..

The students were split into two teams — one for video production and the other for computer animation. The students were tasked with preparing short videos. Video production worked on the importance of water. The animation teamed focused more on the history of box car racing and its future.

Although students want to bring back a huge victory, they said their participation goes a little deeper than just another plaque on the wall.

“It feels good, like you’ve accomplished a big goal when you’ve joined BPA,” said Sam Wilson. “My brother did it before me when he graduated. So I thought it would be fun… I wanted to follow in his footsteps.”

“It gives you a drive to do something better than what you’ve already done,” said Joseph Winjum.

Business education teacher Rebecca Webster has been guiding these students through BPA practice and has seen several teams to national victories. She said the key isn’t in the project alone, but the presentation.

“It’s not just about their project, but about being able to explain to someone else what they have done to complete that project,” she said.

Webster said she wouldn’t have been able to prepare these students without the help of her former student. Blake Jenson graduated from Ririe High School with BPA experience, but would soon return to his alma mater as a BPA co-adviser.

“I’m so proud of all the hard work they have put into this,” said Jenson. “I just know that when I was in BPA just a few years ago, it helped having someone there when there was a problem.”

Each student needs around $1,000 to go to nationals. If you would like to donate to their fundraiser, go to ririeschools.org or contact the school at 538-7311.