West Burlington, IA- Five students from Southeastern Community College's Computer Club and three from its Business Club earned top ranks at the Business Professionals of America (BPA) State Leadership Conference held virtually in February.
BPA is the top career and technical student organization for students pursuing careers in business management, office administration, information technology, and related career fields.
Participants compete in several categories, including Banking and Financing, Word Processing, Computer Network Technology, and Digital Marketing Concepts.
Each computer club member is in SCC's network administration and cyber security program.
Joseph Hummel, West Point, Joy Mack, Fort Madison, Jacob Pearson, Burlington, Charles Taylor, Fort Madison, and Blaze Vincent, Fort Madison, earned 28 honors combined at the state competition. Each student earned at least one first place award.
SCC network administration and cyber security instructor, Brenda Wamsley, is the co-advisor of the Computer Club.
“I'm so proud of all the hard work they have done and everything they've accomplished in this unprecedented year,” Wamsley said. “Students are recognized nationally among their peers and gain valuable insight as to what it takes to work in the IT and business industry.”
Business Club members Riland Coombs, Taylor Standard, and Faith Woodsmall, all of Burlington, earned 12 awards combined. Each participant earned at least one first place award.
Trisha Hopper, SCC business administration instructor and advisor of the business club, was proud to see her students excel.
“This is the first time the competition was held virtually, which created a lot of struggles,” she explains. “The club members pushed themselves through frustrations and uncertainty and came out the other side strong.”
The students are now qualified to advance to the BPA National Leadership Conference in May.