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Robert Schooley took over the business program in 2019 from Joe DeAngelo. DeAngelo's business students competed through DECA, however Schooley decided to bring a big change to the program by introducing a new competition called Business Professionals of America Schooley’s prior students competed in BPA at his previous job, and he thought that BPA would be a good fit for the new business program.

Many students enjoyed competing in BPA regionals in January, a local competition that determines who will go to state. There are many different categories to compete in, from taking online tests to doing a live presentation. Badin students did exceptionally well at regionals, showing off all their hard work.

Badin students truly were a force to be reckoned with at regionals this year, but the hard work and dedication doesn't stop here. Students going to state have a lot to do to prepare. After regionals, students received notes from judges on ways they can improve and many are working hard to make changes. Senior Sydney Feenstra, winning 2nd in Legal Office Procedures, explains what she will do to ensure she will do well at state.

“I will prepare for state by going over my presentation, looking over the judges comments, and working with my teammates to better our presentation,” Feenstra said.

All of the hard work comes along with an overwhelming amount of excitement for students who are seeing their efforts pay off. Senior Stephanie Hartkemeyer,winning 3rd in Advanced Word Processing, explains this feeling as she is on her journey to state.

“I am feeling ecstatic to compete and watch my fellow classmates compete,” Harkemeyer said.

Schooley is the person who has helped all of the business students reach their full potential in the competition and has helped guide them to doing so well in regionals. He has been open at all times to answer any questions students may have about their projects or tests. He has even stayed after school to help students with finishing touches. The students are extremely thankful for all of his help, and Feenstra is definitely one of them.

“Mr. Schooley has prepared us with the tools to better our presentation skills and our knowledge of our competition,” Feenstra said.

These business students are doing an excellent job of representing Badin, and their dedication can be seen by the other schools they compete with. Wish these students luck as they are on their way to win state competitions!

The students going to state include Junior Logan Ross winning 4th in Fundamental Accounting, Senior Maggie Fiehrer winning 4th in Personal Financial Management, Junior Allison Vess winning 3rd in Fundamental Word Processing, Junior Addison Wishart 1st in Advanced Word Processing, Senior Will Poehner winning 1st in Basic Office Systems and Procedures, and Senior Elizabeth Kreimer winning 3rd in Business Law and Ethics. In addition, Kreimer, Feenstra, and Junior Rachel Nusky will be going to state as a team presentation for Small Business Management.