Winning Students Are Florida BoundBy Susan Bush
12:00AM / Monday, April 03, 2006
 | | Charles H. McCann Technical High School Office Technologies students Christine Leal, Melanie Neyland, Michael Lawson, and Aubry Frost |
North Adams - They are winners and they're going to Disney.
A group of Charles H. McCann Technical High School students are preparing for a trip to the Disney Dolphin Hotel in Hotel in Orlando, Fl., to compete in a Business Professionals of America National Conference.
The May 10-14 conference will bring the students together with BPA members from across the country for competitive events, professional workshops, a Universal Studios trip, and a formal dance.
McCann Office Technologies students Alyssa Pilling, Betty Davine, Crystal Magnussen, Kara Giorgi, Kate Reardon, Nicole Lussier and Annie Lewis |
Students earned the national conference opportunity after competing during a March state conference held in Framingham, Mass.. Of the 11 participating students, eight qualified for the national event.
This year is the first for McCann student participation with the BPA organization and competitions.
"The Whole Thing Was Awesome"
"It's our first time and we made it to nationals!" said a smiling Alyssa Pilling, who qualified for the national conference with an advanced word processing fifth-place finish at the state conference. Pilling is a junior at the high school.
Senior Aubry Frost secured a first place win during a database applications competition.
"I was surprised," she said. "I definitely didn't expect it."
Sophomores Kate Reardon and Christine Leal earned a first place finish as an economic research project team.
"I think the whole thing was awesome, especially being our first year," said Reardon.
A Winning Group
In addition to Frost, Reardon, Pilling, and Leal, students Michael Lawson, Betty Davine, Melanie Neyland, and Crystal Magnussen are eligible to compete during the national conference.
Kara Giorgi and administrative support team members Frost, Davine,and Magnussen earned a top five state conference finish in the administrative support team category.
Ambassador Torch awards signifying leadership, service, cooperation, knowledge, friendship, love, hope and faith, and patriotism were presented to Frost, Reardon, Leal, and Lawson during the state BPA conference.
The BPA was originally launched as the Office Education Association during the mid-1960s. The organization was re-named in 1988. The BPA is dedicated to "world-class workforce" preparation, according to information provided by the group. McCann instructors Becky Buck and Pamela Dorwin are the school's BPA advisors.
This Isn't Your Mama's Shorthand
Neyland said that she believes that classroom size and teacher interest contributed to the student success during the conference.
"We're a small school," she said. "We get a lot of support from our teachers."
The events allow the students to demonstrate their skills and abilities in a profession that encompasses complex and sophisticated technologies, Frost said.
"It's something that is fun to do, and it gives you a sense of real pride."
Additional information about the Charles H/ McCann Technical High School may be acquired at a www.mccanntech.org Internet web site.
Information about the Business Professionals of America may be acquired at a www.bpa.org web site.
Susan Bush may be reached via e-mail at suebush@iberkshires.com or at 802-823-9367.
|
