Mariner Middle students win state Business Professionals of America awards
On Feb. 27, 24 Mariner Middle students attended the Business Professionals of America Delaware State Leadership Conference at Dover Downs. The all-day event allowed students to compete in business, marketing and finance events, and attend various workshops led by industry experts.
After months of preparation, Mariner students demonstrated exceptional skills and talents during the competition portion. Awards were secured in three highly contested events. Seventh-grader Sara Dawson took first place in keyboarding production and eighth-grader Andrew Criswell placed third. Additionally, seventh-graders Lexi Cleaver, Jetta Hastings and Amelia Phelps earned second place for administrative support team, while Mackinzie Brown, Sara Dawson, Morgan Newcomb and Sophie Zych scored into first place with a win in Presentation Management.
Finally, seventh-grader Morgan Newcomb received State of Delaware Business Professionals of America Diplomat and Statesman Awards for her leadership, character and dedication to service both in and out of the classroom. Morgan was one of only a handful of Delaware middle school students to receive both recognitions. In addition, Morgan earned BPA National Ambassador status — the highest honor awarded a Business Professionals of America member.
“All of our students worked very hard this year at the BPA Leadership Conference,” said Dr. Daniel Shockley, business education teacher and Mariner student advisor. “I’m so proud of the dedication and commitment they showed in preparation for the competition and during the conference.”
The team will now look to compete at the National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, California in May.
Fundraising efforts are underway to help off-set costs for the Mariner BPA attendance at the National Conference in Anaheim, Calif., this spring. On Tuesday, March, 19, a Dine and Donate event is being held at Grottos Grand Slam in Lewes from 4 to 9 p.m. The students will also host a Dodgeball Tournament on Friday, April 5. Registration is $30 for a 6-person team and must include at least two females per team. For those just wishing to watch the tournament, the cost for entry is $2. Dodgeball will begin at 6 p.m. in the Mariner Middle School gymnasium. There is also a GoFundMe available online for those wishing to contribute. All proceeds will help the students offset the cost of the transportation, airfare and hotel accommodations.
