Six students from BLHS Business Professionals of America chapter attended the 2025 BPA National Leadership Conference in Orlando, Fla., May 6-11.
The students from the BLHS BPA chapter attending the conference, where the theme was “Capture the Moment,” were: Kaidyn Green, Kearstin Linkinhoker, Kameron Lockwood, Addison Scott, Caroline Spriggs and Makayla Williamson.
The conference brings together an estimated 6,000 delegates from across the country to vie for top honors in business and information technology skills competitions, attend leadership and professional development workshops, receive awards for community service activities and elect BPA’s 2025–26 national student leadership team.
Results from the national contest include:
Workplace Skills Assessment Competitive Event – Kaidyn Green, Personal Financial Management, 41st of 78; Kameron Lockwood, C# Programming, ninth of 40, first BLHS Top 10 since 2010; and Economic Research Team of Linkinhoker, Scott, Spriggs and Williamson, ninth of 13 in their judged room.
Certiport Industry Certifications (presented by Certiport, a Pearson VUE business) – Kearstin Linkinhoker – Critical Career Skills Professional Communication; Kameron Lockwood – IT Software Development, IT Computational Thinking, IT Data Analytics; Addison Scott – Critical Career Skills Professional Communication, Entrepreneurship and Small Business, Generative AI Foundations; and Caroline Spriggs – Critical Career Skills Professional Communication, Medical Administration Assistant.
Senior Kearstin Linkinhoker said the experience allowed her to show her skills, both professionally and personally.
“I learned many new things and I had the opportunity to become certified in Professional Communication. I was able to make memories that will last a lifetime with my good friends.
“I am also grateful I was able to have one last trip with Mrs. Wood before I graduate. This experience would not have been possible without the help of local business donations and most importantly the time and effort Mrs. (Mandi) Wood put into the trip and our BPA chapter.”
Mandi Wood, BPA adviser and Benjamin Logan business teacher, also reflected on the trip and the BPA program, nothing that it is “an authentic, real-world experience for our students.
“It opens doors to incredible opportunities — whether it’s competing at the national level, connecting with industry leaders, or discovering their own leadership potential.
“BPA empowers our students to dream big, capture the moment, and build personal confidence. I am incredibly proud of the dedication, professionalism, and accomplishments of our BPA members at BLHS — they continue to inspire me and I am honored to work with them in and out of the classroom.”
While in Orlando, participants also networked with other BPA members and visited Cocoa Beach, Universal Studios, Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and Disney Springs.
