With the college process on the horizon, many juniors decide to involve themselves in clubs and extracurricular activities in their final two years of high school. Some feel more mature and experienced as they near their final days at Mercy. Many even feel ready to take on a leadership position in a club. With a variety of reasons for joining, the club leaders of Business Professionals of America (BPA) —who are mostly juniors— prepare themselves and the club for the major events approaching in 2015.

“I feel like playing a role in leadership is very important,” junior BPA Treasurer Ally Coklow said. “It teaches you a sense of responsibility.”

Responsibility is definitely needed in order to be successful in BPA. Most of the preparation and work  for the club is done outside of school. It’s up to many of the leaders of BPA to make sure club members are aware of event deadlines—which can be hard to organize while the leaders are preparing for their own events.

“I want to get as many girls as possible to go to the National Conference…and get the girls involved in the torch award program, [as well as] all the fun things BPA has to offer,” junior BPA President Katherine Pearlman said.

Many BPA members aim to attend the National Conference, which is held in Anaheim, CA this year. A student can place after being successful at both the Regionals and State conferences which take place this winter and spring.

Members can also go to Nationals or States after earning a great amount of points in the Torch Award System.  This is a system that awards points to tasks that involve community service, business, and leadership skills. It’s Pearlman’s responsibility to encourage students to make an effort to get to States and Nationals in order to represent Mercy.

“I’d like to get more girls in the club … [have them] stay in the club, and continue to thrive,” Pearlman said.