Hillcrest BPA has relied heavily on the shoulders of several key members–these students are 2nd year BPA students. Their knowledge and leadership has been greatly useful for the class. These students include: Lardell Clark, David Moore, Karima Jones, and Tranae Harris. All four are heavily involved in the class: Lardell is Director of Charities, David Moore has spent endless hours with the marketing team at the Business Center, Tranae and Karima are constantly contacting companies and writing grants for Hillcrest to be sponsored.

According to Lardell, “My first year in BPA was fun. I placed 1st in Legal Office Procedure and third in Intermediate Word Processing. I placed high on my first try at competition and personally passed my initial goal. I went to state, and even though I didn’t place, I still think I did very well for my first time. This being my second year, I love being in BPA. It is a radical change from previous years, and I feel more involved as an active and working member of BPA. Through my experience, I am looked at as a role model. I am expected to place once again, and I plan to go to state and move on to nationals. This is not only my goal, but the expectation of my class as a second-year student that placed first in a competition. We were not as united [then] as we are now, and we also were not as proactive [as we are now] under the [new] leadership of David Braden. In this class, with my position, I have to be an active member and a good representation of what BPA truly stands for. I work to achieve our vision of becoming the best in not only the district but the state as well. I am counted on more than last year as a top executive of this year’s BPA. I am a veteran of BPA, and I plan to make our name known.”

Of his experience, David wrote, “I was in the Business Professionals of America last year. I went into it with high expectations… [but] it isn’t close to… what we stand for today. Now we are a team in more than numbers… We have Honor and AP students. We have students with bright futures. Last year, I had to defend the importance of the BPA program, this year it defends itself, better and more effectively than I ever could. This year’s program is very proud. The students are involved. The students actually want to be involved in business for their career, not that they just want to get out of gym and 8th period. We are involved and participate in all of the group discussions. We even work outside of the classroom to better ourselves. I was also proud to be considered a BPA student, but now there isn’t just a few who believe and agree with me. I’m going to be a businessman and receive profit out of it, and it is nice to be in a program that takes it seriously.”

Karmia reflected, “Being in BPA as 2nd year representative has its advantages. You’re able to help the newcomers understand what BPA is about and what to expect from it. Last year, class had its good and bad. Good: I placed 1st and 2nd in my competitions; and, Bad:the amount of opportunities we are being offered this year, don’t even compare to the ones mentioned last year. BPA has turned into a class where you can get the most experience, job and skill-wise. This year’s class has to be one of the most intelligent; we have… more students this year and more students who want to make something out of this class. Sometimes you don’t know where you belong or fit in, like I didn’t know BPA was for me, but that was proven wrong once I really got into the groove of the class and its motives.”

Tranae writes, “Being a 2nd year student in BPA has some good qualities. I feel like being in here another year will really help me gain more business and work experience. So far this year, we have been doing bigger and better things. I learned a lot my first year in BPA, such as creating resume, writing cover letters, filling out job applications, etc. I plan on using what I’ve learned so far to help me go far and learn more. I wanted to be in here another year for many reasons. I wish to go to state and place in top 3 in any of my competitions and maybe even nationals. Being in here another year will also help me build my skills to go from good to great.”

For more information, please contact Hillcrest BPA coordinator Mr. Dave Braden [email protected].