WEST BURLINGTON, Iowa — Ten students from Southeastern Community College's Computer
Club and six from its Business Club earned top ranks at the 2024 National Business
Professionals of America (BPA) competition held last month in Chicago, Illinois.
BPA is the leading career and technical student organization for those pursuing careers
in business management, office administration, information technology, and related
fields.
SCC students competed against two- and four-year colleges from the U.S., Canada, and
China in categories such as Personal Financial Management, Prepared Speech, Computer
Security, and Web Design.
Computer Club members Gregory Wright, Jacob Shores, Tyler Byron, Crystal Timmerman,
Trevor Kelly, Charles Mutchler, Gary Brownlee, Dawson Mullenix, Alyssa Krestan, and
Jalen Walker earned 49 honors and certifications combined. Eight placed in the top
10 of at least one event, and all ten earned several certifications. First-year student
Trevor Kelly placed second in the Computer Network Technology event.
SCC network administration and cybersecurity instructor Brenda Wamsley said the students’
hard work paid off.
“I'm so proud of these students and their success,” Wamsley said. “It takes a lot
of effort and practice to place in these competitions and it shows that they know
their stuff.”
Business Club members Corwyn Gaines, McKenzie Reichman, Brian Tiet, Tyler Raub, Tanner
Waddell, Amber Woodward, and Pattie Poling earned 20 awards and certifications combined.
Pattie is the first Business Club member to win two first-place plaques at Nationals
in Banking and Finance, and Payroll Accounting. Tyler Raub, McKenzie Reichman, and
Brian Tiet are the first Business Club team to win first place at Nationals in Small
Business Management.
Business program coordinator Trisha Hopper says that while the ultimate goal is to
earn top honors, students benefit from the entire experience of the trip.
“We traveled to Chicago for four days to compete, grow leadership skills, and have
fun,” Hopper said. “We accomplished all three. Now we'll start all over again to prepare
for another great showing at the 2025 competition in Orlando.”
