Northwood Tech BPA Students Earn Spot At National Conference

Northwood Technical College Business Professionals of America (BPA) students competed in the annual Wisconsin BPA State Leadership Conference on February 27. This year, Northwood Tech’s BPA had six talented students compete with their peers representing technical colleges from across the state to test their knowledge and skills and showcasing projects. Out of the six students that competed, all have advanced to the National Conference in Orlando.

Following the success of Northwood Tech BPA students at the State Conference, here are the placement results:

• Amy Drain, Medical Administrative Professional program, Rice Lake: Health Administration Procedures, first place; Health Insurance Medical Billing, first place; Fundamental Word Processing, third place.
• Gianna Froelich, Office Support Specialist and Accounting Assistant programs, Rice Lake: Advanced Office Systems & Procedures, first place; Intermediate Word Processing, first place; Health Administrative Concepts, fifth place.
• Katherine Hegg, Administrative Coordinator program, Rice Lake: Advanced Interview Skills, first place; Graphic Design Promotion, first place; Advanced Office Systems & Procedures, second place; Intermediate Word Processing, second place; Computer Programming Concepts, third place; Digital Communication Design Concepts, fifth place.
• Kate Meck, Business Management, New Richmond: Ethics & Professionalism, first place; Contemporary Issues, second place.
• Tammy Pederson, Administrative Coordinator program, New Richmond: Fundamental Word Processing, fourth place
• Kelly Sigsworth, Administrative Coordinator program, New Richmond: Fundamental Word Processing, first place; Integrated Office Applications, second place.

While reflecting on her experience at the competition, Amy Drain shared, "This is my first year competing at the state level for BPA. I was unsure what to expect. My experience was excellent. I am very excited to experience competition at nationals!" Amy’s success in multiple categories is a testament to her commitment and hard work.

Kate Meck also shared her experience saying, “I have competed for the past three years, and each year has been so much fun in its own way. I’ve learned so much through competing about myself, career preparation, and just how much I’ve actually been learning here in the classroom at Northwood Tech. For example, my Personal Finance competition was a breeze because of related courses like Money & Banking, Personal Finance, and Principals of Investments. The competition alone gave me so much more confidence that I actually am learning and am able to back that up with results.” She also highlighted the broader benefits of participating in the BPA conferences, adding, “Additionally, state and national BPA conferences have allowed me to expand my network, meet new friends, expand my public speaking skills, and get immersed in unique volunteer opportunities!"

During the conference, Gianna Froelich and Katherine Hegg each received a $250.00 Mike Tokheim Scholarship, the only two awarded statewide. Katherine Hegg reflected on her growth, saying, "My experience for this year's BPA State Composition is much better than last year's. Since last year was my first year of competing, I didn’t know what to expect or how to prepare myself for my events. But this year was ten times better; I knew what to study for and how much time to give myself when doing some of my events."

BPA advisor Brenda Kretzschmar emphasized the impact of the experience, stating, “It’s so rewarding for these students to go outside their comfort zone to compete and be successful.”

At Northwood Tech, empowering students is our top priority, and our mission centers around student success. Business Professionals of America (BPA) aligns with this mission by providing students with valuable opportunities for growth through leadership development, community service, and networking with peers and professionals. As a national organization, BPA connects our students to a broader network, helping them develop both personally and professionally through competitions and events that expand their horizons. This year’s conference, focused on BPA’s commitment to career and technical education, featured inspiring talks and skill demonstrations that reflected the organization's focus on excellence. The students’ involvement in these activities demonstrates their dedication to growth, and BPA remains a key platform in preparing them for success in the business world.

The Northwood Tech BPA students will travel to the National Conference in Orlando, which will take place May 7-11, 2025, where they will compete alongside other top students from across the nation. This opportunity will assist them in enhancing their leadership, networking, and career development skills. To learn more about the programs offered at Northwood Tech and how students can get involved, visit NorthwoodTech.edu.

About Northwood Technical College

Northwood Technical College is a nationally top-ranked college and designated Gold 2024-25 Military Friendly® School that puts Students First. Northwood Tech serves the educational and career needs of approximately 13,000 residents of Northwestern Wisconsin each year. With multiple campuses, Northwood Tech offers career-focused associate degree programs, technical diplomas, short-term certificates, customized business training, and a wide array of courses for personal or career enrichment. Northwood Tech is a member of the Wisconsin Technical College System and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org). For more information, call 800.243.9482 or visit NorthwoodTech.edu.

Northwood Technical College is grateful for all its community partnerships. Your support of the Northwood Tech Foundation is essential to student success. For information on how to contribute, visit NorthwoodTech.edu/donate.

Northwood Technical College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, service in the uniformed services, veteran status, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital or family status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions or status in any group protected by state or local law in employment, admissions or its programs or activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the College’s nondiscrimination policies: Amanda Gohde, AA/EEO Officer/Title IX Coordinator/Associate Vice President of Talent and Culture; 1900 College Drive, Rice Lake, WI 54868; 715.645.7042; Wisconsin Relay System TTY:711; Amanda.Gohde@NorthwoodTech.edu.