UHS Scores Top Awards At Nationals in Orlando

Submitted by

Angela Hartman

Four students from Underwood participated in the 51st Annual Business Professionals of America (BPA) National Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida May 10-14. They competed with 5,500 top students from across the United States – the pinnacle of BPA competition.

To qualify: Members must excel at both the regional and state level to advance to the national competition.  Underwood had three students advance through competitive excellence. At the state level Erin Andersen finished 3rd in her contest, Administrative Support Research Project. Asante Creek also finished 3rd in her contest of Prepared Speech. At the state level in Extemporaneous Speech Kindra Peterson earned 4th place. This qualified the ladies to advance to the national competition. 

National Awards earned: Underwood’s members were very successful in the national competition. Erin Andersen placed 3rd in the nation in her contest (left), Administrative Support Research Project.  Kindra Peterson (top middle left) placed 7th in Extemporaneous Speech. Asante Creek (top middle right) placed 19th in Prepared Speech.  In another contest – National Merit Scholar – that all members could take, Theo Johnson (top left) placed 6th in the nation, Kindra Peterson placed 7th, and Erin Andersen placed 13th!

Also recognized at the National Conference for earning National Torch Awards (showing leadership, service, cooperation, knowledge, pa-triotism, and friendship) from Underwood were Erin Andersen, Carter Peterson, Jill Maahs and Theo Johnson.

In addition, Underwood’s Chapter Vice President and Minnesota BPA’s State Historian, Theo Johnson ran for a position as a national officer.  The competition was the toughest it has ever been, and sadly Theo wasn’t voted into office.  He did a great job representing Underwood and Minnesota.  We are very proud of him!