Business Professionals of America (BPA) competed at regionals Jan. 9 at Lewis University in Romeoville. The regional competition determines who advances to state in individual and team categories. This year, BPA brought 66 students, 47 of which will be moving on to the state meet, in 22 different categories.

“We’re pretty consistent with numbers every year,” BPA Sponsor Krista Wilcox said. “These students compete in events with testing, presenting skills and pieces they may have to pre-submit.”

Every participant in BPA competes in two events: one team and one individual. The top two teams in team events make it to state, top five students in testing events, and top three in project- based events. This year LT received first in 10 events, second in 12 events, and third in seven events.

“This year we have more kids using old practice tests at meetings to prepare for competition,” BPA President Dani Gresge ’15 said. “We’ve made more of an effort to get everyone motivated to do well this year.”

Five schools attended the regional competition, among them Hinsdale Central.

“They’ve had the same sponsor for many years and have built up a large program,” Wilcox said.

LT does consistently well in categories such as administrative support, which earned second place at nationals last year, interview skills and database applications. The administrative support team, which consists of Gresge, Sheila Dunne ’15, Amy Launspach ’15 and Kay Stoettner ’15, will be moving on to state, also having advanced to state and nationals the past two years.

“It is great to see so many students succeed at the regional and state competitions and move on,” BPA Sponsor Julie Bryar-Smith said. “We are also proud of students who compete in new areas, even when they do not move on, because they challenged themselves, tried a new subject and learned something new.”

The club organized a group trip to Feed My Starving Children for the first time in the fall, and plan to organize another volunteer activity for the spring. The state competition will be held at the Double Tree Hotel in Oakbrook Feb. 26-28.