When Superior High School junior Michele Smith started participating in the Business Professionals of America program her freshman year she planned on pursuing a career as a lawyer.
However after three years of competing in BPA events, and after winning the Digital Media Production competition at state the last two years, Smith now has other plans.
“This is the kind of stuff I want to do as a career, I want to make promotions,” Smith said. “I’m really glad that I took it because before this I wanted to be a lawyer but I found out I am really good at this stuff and I want to do this.”
The competition requires students to create a two-minute video promoting the city that will host the BPA Nationals the following year while also promoting the BPA itself. Last year Smith created a video on Orlando, FL., a city she will soon be visiting due to the video she created this year promoting Indianapolis.
“You have to tie in how BPA helps your life and how Orlando and Indianapolis, how the National Leadership Conference will give you experience to talk and promote,” Smith said. “So pretty much just being a business professional.”
In Orlando, Smith will once again compete with her promotional video, this time against state winners from across the nation.
“I am really happy (about going to Orlando),” Smith said. “I get to get some sun.”
Smith said being in BPA has helped her with public speaking “a lot” due to her participation in an event that requires students to speak to judges as a one-person team.
“You are all by yourself so it is all relying on you,” Smith said. “But now when it comes to speeches in class – it’s the best.”
Prior to competing Smith said Gordon Hendrick is always there to provide her with a motivational speech and the necessary encouragement to succeed.
“Without him I wouldn’t have won,” Smith said.
Smith said she plans on participating in BPA for her senior year and hopes to perform well in the upcoming national competition.