This past weekend, almost 50 students competed at Business Professionals of America (BPA) states, partaking in business related events, and enjoying time outside with their team members. Seminole brought home new hardware, experiences and smiles. Students that placed are advancing to the National Leadership Conference (NLC), which will be held in Nashville, Tennessee, from May 6-10. Seminole previously had a regional competition on November 5th, 7th, and 8th within the school, with SHS students competing and showcasing their events and talent against others. Mostly everyone did move on, except a few who forgot to pay their dues, or who did not prepare for their event.
Florida BPA recently said goodbye to former vice president Michael Zhu, and president Rishaab Suresh, the 2025-2026 state officers. At the state competition, they welcomed new state officers, with 4 being from Seminole High School! Rithu Mehta took over from Rishaab as the new state president, Savana Jayakody as secretary, Shivaan Patel as treasurer, and Hansini Nunna as historian. This position looks great on college resumes and is a good opportunity to show statewide impact, service, and leadership! Keep an eye out for this chance next year if you are interested!
At BPA, students are trusted with more freedom to give a true business environment. Participants are expected to be dressed in professional attire and maintain a professional persona throughout the conference. The dress code includes suit jackets, blazers, or dresses. Bottoms include dress pants or skirts for women. This standard reinforces BPA’s mission of preparing students for future careers by teaching them how to present themselves appropriately in professional settings.
Throughout the weekend, students balanced high pressure events with team bonding and memorable experiences. Whether they were delivering presentations, completing technical assessments, or participating in judged interviews, competitors were immersed in real-world business scenarios. Maya Shah, IB sophomore, explains how she “competed in interview skills, and [she] had to create a cover letter and resume for a job and a mock interview.” All the events are based on the following categories: finance, business administration, management information systems, digital communication and design, management, marketing, and communication, health administration, middle level, and virtual events. You can check out the website: bpa.org to look for what event suits your interests and future career. BPA emphasizes practical application, meaning students are evaluated not only on knowledge, but also on communication, confidence, and professionalism. The key to advancing to the next level and doing well is consistent practice.
In addition to competition, students had time to network with other chapters, attend workshops like the state office communications nation workshop, and explore the hotel and places around the area. Shah also mentions how she and her friends “went to Disney Springs and had a lot of fun there, and also went to the hotel gym and pool.” These moments outside of events often become just as meaningful as the awards themselves, strengthening friendships and creating long lasting memories.
As Seminole prepares for the National Leadership Conference, the success at states serves as both a celebration and a motivator. BPA continues to provide students with real-world experience, leadership development, and a glimpse into their future careers, and this year’s state conference proved that Seminole is ready to compete and win on the national stage in Nashville soon!