This spring, about 70 middle-level students and more than 100 secondary students have qualified to attend the 2021 Business Professionals of America Virtual National Leadership Conference from April 26 to May 9.

There, students will have the opportunity to participate in competitive events, the BPA Academy and college and career exhibits, as well as network with business professionals.

About 240 business students from 21 high schools in Delaware participated in the Virtual BPA State Leadership Conference last month. Students demonstrated professionalism during the week and competed in 52 events in the categories of management; marketing and communications; digital communications and design; management information systems; business administration; and finance. These students also campaigned for the state officer leadership team.

The event culminated with a celebration of leadership, the recognition of community services and the presentation of the 2021-22 state officer leadership team.

The following student members were elected to serve on the state officer leadership team for the coming year:

• President — Siya Brahmbhatt of MOT Charter School.
• Vice president — Noah Quasim of Newark Charter School.
• Secretary — Melissa Valcin of Lake Forest High School.
• Treasurer — Lanaya Haynes of Indian River High School.
• Historian/parliamentarian — Rohan Konkimalla of Newark Charter School.

Nidhi Patel of Odyssey Charter High School was named Student of the Year.

Indian River High School received the Secondary Level Professional Cup.

In addition, about 175 business students from 12 middle schools statewide participated in the  state conference. The middle-level students competed in 15 events.

BPA thanks keynote speakers Markevis Gideon of NerdiTNow, Katey Evans of The Frozen Farmer and Ryan Nkongnyu, national secondary president of BPA.

BPA is the leading career and technical student organization for students pursuing careers in business management, office administration, information technology and other related fields. For more information,  visit the BPA website or contact Dr. Lisa Wilson, Delaware BPA state adviser, at lisa.wilson@doe.k12.de.us.