Information

What is BPA?

Business Professionals of America is the premier CTSO (Career and Technical Student Organization) for students pursuing careers in business management, information technology, finance, office administration, health administration, and other related career fields. With 45,000 members in over 1,800 chapters across 25 states and Puerto Rico, as well as an international presence in China, Haiti, and Peru, BPA is an organization that supports business and information technology educators by offering co-curricular exercises based on national standards. Business Professionals of America has the ability to enhance student participation in professional, civic, service, and social endeavors. Members participate in these activities to accomplish its goals of self-improvement, leadership development, professionalism, community service, career development, public relations, student cooperation, and safety and health. A major program of Business Professionals of America is the Workplace Skills Assessment Program (WSAP). The WSAP prepares students to succeed and assesses real-world business skills and problem-solving abilities in finance, management, IT, and computer applications. It is BPA’s showcase program and facilitates students demonstrating their career skills at regional, state, and national conferences in more than 90 competitive events. Some of BPA’s other major programs include the National Leadership Academy, Officer Elections, and scholarships. Additionally, the Torch Awards Program and BPA Cares Program recognize students and chapters, respectively, for their leadership and service to their chapter and community. (from the official BPA website)

Why Join BPA?

BPA can have a huge impact on members, giving them new opportunities and valuable life lessons. The Torch Award program inspires students to become strong leaders and helpers in their communities as it requires members to earn points through various acts of volunteer work and other community involvement efforts. The WSAP program (the competitive events) helps students become better public speakers and/or become more knowledgeable in a certain field depending on the type of event they compete in. BPA has events fitting various interests and fields, ensuring that everyone can find enjoyment and success in an event. Furthermore, competing in State and National conferences helps students gain experience they can utilize in the real world. This includes everything from the responsibility necessary to compete to the new places members can visit. Finally joining BPA allows members to build friendships and social connections that could last a lifetime. Members will be meeting people from everywhere including their school chapter, other schools in their state, and even members from other states and countries. Overall, BPA is an extremely beneficial student organization to join as it helps members grow in numerous ways.

Who are the Advisers & Officers of the Indian River High School BPA?

Advisors:

Dr. Jeffrey Bunting and Ms. Torrie Huk

Officers

President: Ashly Benavides

Vice President: Zerkyah Yarbrough

Secretary: Kaitlyn Kopf

Historian / Marketing & Social Media Manager: Harper Stanley

Parliamentarian: Torrence Brickman

Click here for more information about the advisors and officers

What activities does the Indian River High School BPA participate in?

Besides the State and National conferences, our school chapter does various activities for members. Right now our list of chapter events includes Cops & Goblins, Adopt-A-Highways, Bake Sales, Mixers with Selbyville Middle School, Food & Clothing Drives, and the End of the Year Celebration.

When does the Indian River High School BPA meet?

We meet every Wednesday after school from 2:20 – 3:00 in Dr. Bunting’s room D202 unless otherwise specified. Our first meeting for the 2023 – 2024 school year is Wednesday, September 11th.

Competitive Events

There are over 90 categories of competitive events, under 6 Assessment Areas including finance, business administration, management information systems, digital communication & design, management, marketing, & communication, and health administration. Competitive events can be individual or group and can either be tests or presentations. Some events require submissions prior to the competition day and it is important to keep these deadlines in mind. Each member from the IRHS chapter can compete in 2 events (2 individual or 1 individual & 1 group) and as many of the open events as they want. Open events are events that any member can compete in, which deal with a variety of topics. If you are unsure what competitive events to do, consult the officers and advisors and they can help find an event that works for you.

Full List of Competitive Events

Torch Points & Awards

The Business Professionals of America Torch Awards Program is designed to promote professionalism and leadership in both career development and personal growth.

Students complete activities in the seven Torch categories: Leadership; Service; Cooperation; Knowledge; Friendship; Love, Hope, Faith; and Citizenship – then log their activities in an online Torch Résumé.

Each activity is worth 5, 10, 15, or 20 points. When a student achieves a certain number of points for each category, their advisor or local reviewer can submit the résumé online to be reviewed for recognition. All students completing a satisfactory résumé will earn either an Executive, Diplomat, Statesman or Ambassador Torch Award certificate.

Executive Torch Award
Given at the local chapter level, the Executive Torch Award requires 10 points in each Torch category. An Executive is defined as “a person having administrative or managerial authority in an organization.”

Diplomat Torch Award
Depending on your state, this award might be awarded at the local, regional or state level. The Diplomat Torch Award requires 30 points in each Torch category. A Diplomat is defined as “one skilled with tact in dealing with people.”

Statesman Torch Award
Given at the state level, the Statesman Torch Award requires 50 points in each Torch category. A Statesman is defined as “one who is a leader in the promotion of the public good and in national affairs.”

Ambassador Torch Award
Given at the national level, the Ambassador Torch Award requires 70 points in each Torch Category. An Ambassador is defined as “a diplomatic official of the highest rank appointed and accredited as a representative of the organization.”

A student who earns an award through the Business Professionals of America Torch Awards Program will be presented with a certificate and pin commemorating their achievement. Students receiving the Ambassador Torch Award will receive their pin and certificate at the National Leadership Conference. Most importantly, though, a student participating in the Torch Awards Program builds a rich catalog of service and leadership experience to be proud of.

Torch points cary over every year.

Learn More About Torch Awards Here

Where can members get information about chapter events and activities?

Members can get updates through a variety of sources. This includes our Remind course, Schoology group, shared Google Drive folder, Instagram, and the events and blog sections on this website.

Our Instagram username is @irhsbpa

How can members submit suggestions, ideas, written work, and photos for the Instagram, website, or blog page?

You can put suggestions or submissions here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdTSTB-JVClJMWKd2hHVHRjBMPxyUKPM-w2Q2CmdB7D859mfQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

Or you can email hmcstan@icloud.com