CTE Students in Action

Business Professionals of America Chapter President, senior Callie Masters wrote an article reflecting on the 2026 State Leadership Conference. 

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From March 12–15th our BPA chapter traveled to Grand Rapids, Michigan for the State Leadership Conference, and it was an experience we won’t forget. Throughout the week, students had the opportunity to compete in their events, showcase their hard work, and represent our school with pride. 

We started our trip off at Kilwin’s where students got to know the kind of work that goes into a business and then headed to the Woodland Mall before check in. We then attended the opening ceremony that started off the weekend of competitions. Students were asked to attend Legacy Launchers where they heard from professionals all around with real world experiences. We sadly had to leave Grand Rapids early due to the weather but before we left we attended the dinner ceremony where students dressed up in their best formal attire and enjoyed a chicken dinner! 

Students completed open tests for a chance to attend Nationals as well. They practiced their presentations over and over and were prepared when their time came up. Beyond the competitions, the trip was full of fun and memorable moments. Students were able to explore the city of Grand Rapids, try new food, and spend time with friends, making the experience even more special. Whether they were competing, supporting each other, or just enjoying time together, it was a great few days that highlighted both the success and strong community within our chapter. 

We are incredibly proud to share that five of our students qualified for the national level, demonstrating their dedication and talent. Those students being Isabelle McCord, Sarah Doghmi, Natalie Prestien, Landon Ryckeghem, and Callie Masters.  In addition, Dean Roe was elected to the State Executive Council as Vice President of Membership. He will also be attending nationals.

We are so proud of all of our students who participated and so excited to continue our BPA journey in Nashville, Tennessee for Nationals! 

 

Students from our Digital Business and Business Administration courses spent the day at the Sault Ste. Marie SmartZone participating in a hands-on Junior Achievement challenge—powered by approximately 20 incredible community partners who volunteered their time and expertise.

During the morning session, students teamed up, met their mentors, and got to work tackling a real-world problem using emerging technology. Their mission:
💡 Develop a business or service solution
🤝 Collaborate with peers and mentors
🎤 Present their ideas to a panel of judges

After thoughtful presentations and scoring, we are excited to announce today’s top teams:

🏅 1st Place: Team Jeff Bezos
🥈 2nd Place: Team Mark Zuckerberg
🥉 3rd Place: Team Estée Lauder

We are so proud of all our students for their creativity, teamwork, and professionalism. Events like this not only deepen students’ passion and engagement, but also directly support career and technical education (CTE) work‑based learning requirements, preparing them for success beyond the classroom.

A heartfelt thank you to our community partners and Junior Achievement for empowering our students and helping them imagine what’s possible. 

For more information on work-based learning requirements and CTE, please contact Kellie Greener, CTE Director by calling 906-635-3839, ext. 5901.

 

 

This month, students from Sault Area Career Center's chapter of Business Professionals of America head to the State Leadership Conference on March 12-15, 2026, in Grand Rapids, MI.  

What is BPA? 

Senior and second year BPA student, Eleanor Carey, explains what BPA is.

Business Professionals of America is a high school or secondary school-level organization that prepares students for career opportunities in anything between business, IT, or health. Concentrating on finance, business administration, management information systems, digital communication & design, management, marketing & communication, and health administration at the Regional, States, and National levels through judges’ presentations, virtual competitions, and competitive testing-based assessments. Regionals are always in Escanaba at Bay College, States is in Grand Rapids, and this year Nationals is in Nashville Tennessee!

How did the Sault Area Career Center Chapter do at the Regional Leadership Conference? 

Senior and second year BPA student, Cierra Aikens, reflects on the regional BPA competition. 

Business Professionals of America Regional Conference for Region 5 take place at Bay College in Escanaba Michigan, where high schools from across the Upper Peninsula come and compete for a spot at states, the morning of the conference is a big morning with all of the setup and preparation for the day that is about to come, from putting up room signs to the open competition computers, and getting the final touches on preparations. A lot of time goes into making the region 5 conferences a successful event not just for the people who put it together for the students but for the students themselves. They put in a lot of time to make preparations look right and study for tests and with all that hard work many of our members will be able to attend the state leadership conference. We had 47 students go to RLC and 41 students have made their way to the SLC.

Students who placed at Regionals and who are advancing onto States on March 12-15th in Grand Rapids Michigan! We are so proud of everyone who competed and can’t wait for States!

1. Cierra Aikens - Payroll Accounting

2. Chase Aldridge - Advanced Desktop Publishing & Graphic Design Promotion

3. Hannah Brindley - Broadcast News Production Team

4. Eleanor Carey - Advanced Desktop Publishing & Fundamental Spreadsheet Application

5. Tanner Carey - Advanced Desktop Publishing

6. Olivia Claussen - Computer Programming Concepts

7. Macy Collia - Digital Design & Marketing Communications (open)

8. Alyvia Coullard - BPA Merit Scholar Award (test)

9. Kamryn Corbiere - Business Law & Ethics

10. Sarah Doghmi - Health Insurance & Medical Billing

11. Olivia Eddleman - Video Production Team

12. Reece Gibson - Financial Analyst Team

13. Ava Greener - Fundamental Spreadsheet Applications

14. Renee Guan - BPA Merit Scholar Award (test)

15. Natalie Heyrman - Basic Office Systems & Procedures

16. Madeline Korson - Small Business Management Team

17. Hannah LaPointe - Economic Research Team

18. Kadynce Love - Fundamental Accounting

19. Zayan Mahmud - Health Administration Procedures

20. Callie Masters - Advanced Desktop Publishing & Video Production Team

21. Isabelle McCord - Business Law & Ethics

22. Journey McKelvie - Economic Research Team

23. Taylor Meilstrup - Advanced Interview Skills

24. Thelma Osumili - Prepared Speech

25. Hayden Pace - BPA Merit Scholar Award (test)

26. Natalie Prestien - Advanced Desktop Publishing & Small Business Management

27. Tucker Quinn - Digital Media Production

28. Dean Roe - Advanced Interview Skills & Small Business Management

29. Liam Roe - Banking & Finance & Financial Analyst Team

30. Luke Roe - Financial Analyst Team & Economic Research Individual

31. Addison Roy - Economic Research Team

32. Landon Ryckeghem - Fundamental Desktop Publishing & Video Production Team

33. Isabelle Siegwart - Health Insurance & Medical Billing

34. Anika Siesel - Meeting & Event Planning Concepts (open)

35. Regan Sporte - Interview Skills

36. Annabelle Talsma - Graphic Design Promotion & Business Law & Ethics

37. Evelyn Weber - Digital Media Production & Broadcast News Production

38. Evelyn Whitworth - Administrative Support Team

39. Lily Wilson - Administrative Support Team

40. Jaycie Wojnaroski - BPA Merit Scholar Award (test)

41. Ivy York - Interview Skills

 

Sault Area High School & Career Center invited community members and local businesses and organizations to come in and interview senior students as they prepare for their futures. Over 90% of our high school seniors had the opportunity to put their interview skills to the test. 

Events and experiences like this are made possible due to the continued community partnerships between businesses, our career center, and our school district. By participating in these kinds of events, students can network and make connections that will make a lasting impact long after high school graduation. 

Thank you to all of our students for participating and thank you to our community partners! 

Participating Community Partners 

• Soo Co-Op Credit Union 
• National Office Products 
• Fudge Du Locke/Zak & Mac's Chocolate Haus/Oh Crepe and Coffee 
• SCCU Insurance Agency 
• Michigan Department of Corrections
• Junior Achievement of the Upper Peninsula 
• Cloverland Electric Cooperative 
• Lockview Restaurant 
• Limestone Financial Credit Union 
• 4Front Credit Union 
• Eastern Upper Peninsula ISD 
• Bins Ahoy Overstock & ReMax NorthStar 
• Chippewa County Sheriff's Department 
• Mountain Stone 
• Smith & Company Real Estate
• International Bridge Administration 
• Upper Peninsula Michigan Works!
• EUP Regional Planning
• Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours
• Superior District Library 

 

Career and technical education (CTE) student ambassadors spoke about their experiences within CTE programs on January 28 during Perspectives, a radio show hosted by Mark SanAngelo on 1230 WSOO. 

Kamryn, Madison, and Thelma represented the Sault Area Career Center spectacularly as they talked about the industry certifications offered, programs available, and student leadership experiences that students can receive through enrollment in CTE programs. 

The radio show was aired live and provided the students an awesome opportunity to connect with listeners and share their own CTE stories.