Riverside BPA Triumphs in Columbus
By: Gillian Knight, Student Reporter
Members of Riverside’s chapter of Business Professionals of America recently demonstrated their skills, leadership, and teamwork at the Ohio State Leadership Conference in Columbus, earning recognition in competitive events and chapter achievement.
Throughout the multi-day conference, Riverside students competed in a variety of business and leadership-focused events, including finance, advanced interview skills, business strategy, research, and presentation techniques. After months of preparation, students put their knowledge to the test in judged competitions against peers from across the state.
Participants described the experience as both challenging and rewarding. Competitors completed objective tests, delivered presentations, and participated in interviews, showcasing their technical expertise and professional skills. Several Riverside students advanced to the finalist stage, earning recognition during the awards ceremony held on the final morning of the conference.
In addition to competitive events, Riverside BPA members were honored during the Torch Awards ceremony. The Torch Awards program recognizes students for their involvement in leadership, service, cooperation, knowledge, and friendship throughout the year. Riverside earned multiple chapter distinctions, reflecting its ongoing commitment to community service projects, member development, and school involvement.
Senior Eli Kindle says, “It’s nice to feel recognized for all of the hard work myself and others have put in over the years.”
The day before the awards ceremony, students also participated in the conference’s “Think Fast” activity, an interactive challenge that tested problem-solving and collaboration skills. In this event, students were placed in teams and given a short amount of time to answer trivia questions. The activity emphasized quick thinking, teamwork, and creativity under pressure. Members noted that Think Fast provided a unique opportunity to collaborate with students from other schools while applying critical thinking in a dynamic setting.
The conference concluded with the formal awards session, where finalists were announced, and top competitors were recognized on stage. Riverside celebrated multiple placements and the achievements of a select group of students.
Kara Klingler, the 2025-2026 Ohio BPA President, ran for reelection and was voted into Vice Presidency for the upcoming BPA year during the ceremony.
Gillian Knight was also honored for her state t-shirt design being chosen from submissions all over the state and was worn by 2,200 SLC BPA attendees during the conference. There was also major success on stage.
Riverside winners and their awards are as follows:
- Emilee Robinson and Kara Klingler, 2nd Place in Small Business Management Team
- Zoey Ransbottom, 2nd Place in Health Administration Procedures
- Lei Hurley, Top 10 in Human Resource Management
- Grady Jenkins, Eli Kindle, Gillian Knight, and Allison Estep, Top 10 in Administrative Support Team
- Maddy Parker, Top 10 in Legal Office Procedures
- Lilly Huber, 1st Place in Legal Office Procedures
- Victoria Seeley, Top 10 in Advanced Office Systems & Procedures
- Josh Caldwell, 3rd Place in Advanced Officer Systems & Procedures
- Valerie Knight, Top 10 in Basic Office Systems & Procedures
- Chloe Purtee, 2nd Place in Basic Officer Systems & Procedures
- Ashley Roach, Top 10 in Integrated Office Applications
- Makayla Hurley, Top 10 in Advanced Word Processing
- Morgan Shockey, 4th Place in Economic Research
- Gabe Steineman, Top 10 in Banking & Finance
- Brody Orsborne, Top 10 in Banking & Finance
- Hayden McCully, Top 10 in Payroll Accounting
Advisors praised the group for their professionalism and preparation, noting that the experience strengthened members’ confidence and reinforced the values of leadership and service central to Business Professionals of America. With medals earned, Torch Awards received, and new connections formed, Riverside BPA’s participation in the Ohio State Leadership Conference marked another successful chapter in the organization’s ongoing tradition of excellence.
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Students from the Benjamin Logan Business Professionals of America (BPA) chapter also attended the 2026 Ohio BPA State Leadership Conference in Columbus, Ohio, on February 23rd and 24th.
As Business Professionals of America celebrates its 60th year, the organization continues to focus on helping students prepare for their futures by providing the tools, skills, and experiences needed to succeed in the business world.
Through competitive events, students gain valuable opportunities for career exploration and leadership development.
The Ohio BPA includes more than 13,000 middle school, high school, and college students and educators across 170 chapters throughout the state.
Students who placed in the Top Ten in their competitive event from the Benjamin Logan BPA chapter were:
- Kaidyn Green, 3rd place, Fundamental Accounting (National Qualifier)
- Keaten Varner, 9th place, Advanced Accounting
- Lydia Johnson, 10th place, Fundamental Word Processing
- Annabelle Bingham, 5th place, Administrative Support Research Project
- Ethan Carpenter, Maximus Clapsaddle, Brock Henry, and Keegan Lacher, 9th place, Podcast Production
- Winnie Bodin & Ella Chamberlain, 2nd place, Global Marketing Team (National Qualifier)
- Miah Defibaugh, 7th place, Advanced Interview Skills
- Alayna Johnson, 9th place, Ethics & Professionalism
- Junah Tingley, 2nd place, Presentation Individual (National Qualifier)
- Kelsey Jumper & Miya Willis, 9th place, Presentation Team
- Lottie Bodin, 9th place, Health Insurance & Medical Billing
Other attendees included:
- Lauren Kennedy
- Rhett Newman
- Elizabeth Rosebrook
- Isaac Skidmore
- Kade Smith
- Caroline Spriggs
Sophomore BPA member Kelsey Jumper stated, “As a first time BPA member, going to state was an amazing, eye opening experience that pushed me out of my comfort zone! It really helped me grow my confidence, meet new people, and showed me how capable I am in doing something I never saw myself doing last year as a freshman.”
National Qualifiers will attend the BPA National Leadership Conference in Nashville, TN, at the beginning of May.
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Indian Lake’s sole participant at the event was Alex Kinney.
Kinney was a top 10 finalist in Fundamental Accounting.
