Mercy recently participated in the BPA state conference where the best members compete to demonstrate business competencies, improve knowledge, further leadership and human relation skills, demonstrate a competitive spirit, and receive awards and recognition. Although the team did not make it to the stage, the students were eager to take part in the competition.

“It was the first year having students that qualified to compete at the state conference, so that in itself is pretty exciting,” said Mercy BPA Moderator Mrs. Hallie Smith.

“You have the best of the best of all the regions in that event, so making it to the state conference is a big deal.”

During the opening ceremony, Mercy was recognized for having the highest percentage of membership increase. The team experienced a 168% increase in membership, from 19 members last year to 51 members this year.

Mercy students also enjoyed participating in a wide variety of categories, including extemporaneous speech, prepared speech, parliamentary procedure, and integrated office applications. Mercy also had a student qualify for presentation management.

“It was a great experience,” said sophomore Katherine Perlman, Vice President of Mercy BPA. “We got to network with other teams, [received] really helpful competing tips, [and] learned more [about] what the judges are looking for when it comes to the areas that we competed in.”

Mercy students that competed in the events devoted time, conducted research, and gained necessary business knowledge.

“There [was] an absolute willingness to try these events,” said Mrs. Smith.

With a very young chapter and the majority of the members being freshman and sophomores, Mercy BPA hopes to learn from the experience, become more organized, and build up the right resources for the future.

“We’re so new. It is getting things into place that’s difficult right now,” said Mrs. Smith. “[But] we don’t want to miss