Students from St. Regis, Superior and one from Alberton, joined nearly 400 members of Montana’s delegation for the National Business Professionals of America Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida. Over 5,800 students from 23 state associations attended the week-long event which started on May 9.

There were around 60 chapters from Montana with many of them receiving top honors. Including Nathan Lapinski from Superior, was one of three Montana members who received the President’s Volunteer Service Award. It recognizes individuals, families, and groups that have achieved hours of service over a 12-month period or cumulative hours earned over the course of a lifetime. Lapinski received the Gold Level clocking close to 800 hours of service.

Four St. Regis girls where included with 31 other students recognized for the completion of the National Student Certification, Emma Hill, Madison Hill, Madison Kelly and Anna Sanford. Also the following students finished in the top ten in their events: From St. Regis Kelly Madison first place in Economic Individual Research, Emma Hill fourth place for Individual Presentation Management, and Small Business Management Team, Anna Sanford, Emma Hill, and Madison Hill for ninth place.

In the team Parliamentary Procedure Written event, Jacob Lapinski, Kaylee Cahalin, Aidan Patko, Kayli Schoolcraft, Ryan Cahalin and Nathan Lapinski won first place. This is one of the hardest categories according to the group advisor, Jami Toivonen and it takes hours of dedication and commitment to compete.

Taryn Ververis also finished in the top ten in Interview Skills. Superior and St. Regis Schools won the Chapter Activities Award of Excellence, Community Service Award and BPA Marketing and Public Relations Award. The St. Regis Chapter won the Quality Chapter Distinction along with 17 other Montana chapters. As well as the Special Olympics Award for raising over $2,000.

St. Regis Chad Eichenlaub also received recognition for his five years as an advisor as well as completion of the National Advisor Certification. Several members received their Ambassador Torch Awards including Superior’s Taryn Ververis, Kaylee Ray, Catherine Shope, Sammi Francis and Aidan Patko. Along with Alberton’s Mackenzie Spence and Anna Sanford, Madison Hill, Jasmine Jones and Courtney Cheesman from St. Regis. These students joined 84 other Montana BPA students who also received the Torch Award.

Not only did the students participate in BPA events all week, they also enjoyed trips to Disney World, Universal Studios and some even ventured to Daytona Beach located 51 miles northeast of Orlando. The only big mishap was when Sammi Francis hurt her knee while dancing. Fortunately, all of her events were over, but she did have to be pushed around Disney World in a wheelchair.

Taryn Ververis posted on Facebook that “BPA is one of the most rewarding organizations I’ve ever been a part of” and thanked Superior School, all of the wonderful businesses and people that donated, his family and mostly his advisor, Mrs. Toivonen who pushed him to do “crazy impossible things.”

“At Disney, dreams really do come true,” he said.