Seated from the left, in the first row are Riverside BPA member or alumni: Valerie Knight, Gillian Knight, Kara Kauffman, Rachel Knight and Allison Knight; and in the second row: Brice Kauffman, Kyle Knight, Nancy “Nana” Knight, Evan Kauffman and Samuel Knight. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
Family gatherings at the holidays provide much needed time to slow down and reconnect with loved ones, and for one local family, also a unique opportunity to gain insights and wisdom regarding upcoming Business Professionals of America competitions.
BPA at Riverside High School has been competing nationally for more than 12 straight years since its latest reboot in 2012. Today, Jan. 17, the chapter members will be competing at regionals at Ohio Northern University.
One family has continued to prove that just like whom they are descended from, they can take the career tech world by storm, including on the national stage, and also positively impact their peers.
Students (and siblings and cousins) from the Knight family, began a saying that has proven to help each fellow Pirate compete, which they will remember today.
As they were preparing their presentations, Rachel Knight commented to her cousins that they should present as if they were “speaking to Nana.”
“Nana” refers to Nancy Knight, their grandmother, and former CTE superintendent, at the Ohio Hi-Point Career Center. OHPCC’s School of Nursing bears the name of Nancy Knight.
“Speak as if you are talking to Nana” has become a battle cry for all Riverside BPA members, who may not share Nancy’s genes, but share the attributes that she is known for.
Knight’s grandson, Samuel Knight drew a graphic of Nana and it has hung in the back of the Riverside business classroom where adviser Lindsay Wyan leads her students in best practices for their competitions.
“Speak as if you are talking to Nana” includes the idea that students should speak respectfully not just to the judges, but to all participants, and those associated with the organization.
In addition, it reminds participants to speak confidently, clearly enunciate and project their voice so that their message can be heard and understood.
The motto also means that you take care of your fellow teammates by looking out for each other and work diligently and ethically.
All alumni at the recent Knight family gathering were national qualifiers.
Nancy’s grandson Kyle Knight competed in economic research all four years of BPA and went to state every year. He attended Bowling Green State University and now has returned to his alma mater to teach at Riverside.
Allison Knight also went to state BPA contest every year and is currently studying education at BGSU.
Their sister Rachel Knight went to the state BPA contest each year. She was on the parlimentary procedures national team. Now is is studying nursing at BGSU.
Samuel Knight is a multi-year qualifier at state also and nationals and is currently studying at Kent State University. His sisters are Riverside students Gillian and Valerie Knight.
Evan Kauffman graduated from ONU and was a Riverside BPA competitor at all levels.
Evan’s sister Kara Kauffman, who is now studying at Kent State as well, was one of the original parliamentary procedures team members who began the national qualifying trend for the group when she brought her brother Brice to the team when he was a freshman.
Brice, who is now a junior at Riverside, has gone onto nationals each year as well.
Nancy Knight’s grandson Samuel Knight drew this graphic that inspires Riverside BPA members to be respectful, to speak confidently and to clearly enunciate and project their voice.
