Story provided by Meridian Technology Center
Seven students from Meridian Technology Center earned first place awards at the recent virtual National Business Professionals of America Leadership Conference.
National winners include Stillwater students Gabriel Spillman and Bryant Bunyard, Network Design Team; Dayveon Jones, Megan Norris and Brandon Bigheart, Video Production Team; and Laney Smith, Interview Skills. Stillwater student Luke Cheatwood earned first place in both the Graphic Design Promotion and Digital Media Production contest.
Full-time adult and high school students attending Meridian can join one of several student organizations related to their field of study: Business Professionals of America; Family, Career and Community Leaders of America; HOSA – Future Health Professionals; or SkillsUSA.
These organizations provide students an opportunity to gain leadership skills and ultimately compete against other technology center students from across the state and nation. During each round of competition, students develop and demonstrate skills that include public speaking, presenting, working together as a team, interviewing and technical skills related to their area of study. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, most CTSOs, including BPA, held virtual skills contests this year.
Additional Meridian Made Winners
Over the recent months, a total of 28 high school students and adults placed first in their organization’s state skills contests, earning the chance to advance and compete at the national level. This year, since contests are virtual, students placing second and third were also able to advance.
BPA students who placed in the top 10 include Stillwater students Angel Lynn Veselak, Bergen Ehrlich, Bryant Bunyard, Eli Weireman, Evan Reitan, Finneas Duncan, Gabriel Spillman, Gemma Aguilera, Hannah Gardner, Haylo Brener,Jackson Gardner, Katie Brubaker, Krystal Young, Mary Cox, Nick Kifer and Sheridan Sumner; Sierra Jones, Guthrie; Karson Brown, Agra; Caitlin Leimenstol, Glencoe; and Kylie Casey, Morrison.
Business Professionals of America
BPA exists to develop and empower student leaders to discover their passion and change the world by creating unmatched opportunities in learning, professional growth and service.
As a co-curricular organization, BPA has the ability to enhance student participation in professional, civic, service and social endeavors. Members participate in these activities to accomplish their goals of self-improvement, leadership development, professionalism, community service, career development, public relations, student cooperation, safety and health.
Meridian Technology Center has been a driver of economic development since 1975. With a mission to educate, enrich lives and secure economic futures, Meridian offers full-time career training programs, short courses, Business and Industry services and entrepreneurial support to residents from the Agra, Carney, Glencoe, Guthrie, Morrison, Mulhall-Orlando, Pawnee, Perkins-Tryon, Perry and Stillwater school districts. Meridian is one of 29 schools within Oklahoma’s CareerTech system.
For more information or to enroll visit www.meridiantech.edu or contact a career counselor by phone at (405) 377-3333 or toll-free at (888) 607-2509.
