Box Elder business students gear up for competition

Box Elder High School’s Business Professionals of America and American Indian Business Leaders are gearing up for competition this month, with members working to earn their way to regional, state and national events.

“These competitions allow students to experience real world situations and mingle with other motivated young people throughout the country,” said Box Elder Elementary School Principal Kimberly Keller, who advises the two high school groups. “The organizations invite motivational speakers to encourage our youth in their pursuit of excellence.”

 Box Elder’s Business Professionals of America team will participate in Great Falls at the regional level Monday, Jan. 20, she said, adding that Box Elder has 11 members registered to attend the competition.

She said the students who place in the top 10 in their event go on to the state level competition March 8-10 in Billings. From there, the top three in the state level will go on to nationals May 6-10 in Washington, D.C.

Keller said Business Professionals of America has competitions in various business-related fields, but the ones their students have chosen are:

• Small Business Management Team

• Interview Skills

• Basic Office Systems and Procedures

• Prepared Speech

• Business Law and Ethics

• Payroll Accounting

• Video Production Team

• Personal Financial Management

• Economic Research Individual

She added the American Indian Business Leaders will be in San Diego April 2-4, where the students will be competing by presenting a business plan and listening to other students’ ideas.

Keller said both groups, Business Professionals of America and American Indian Leaders, have participated in competitions in various locations in previous years.   

“The goal of Business Professionals of America is to contribute to the preparation of a world-class workforce through the advancement of leadership, citizenship, academic and technological skills and provide students with the opportunity to develop these skills,” she said. “American Indian Business Leaders has the mission to increase the representation of American Indians and Alaska Natives in business and entrepreneurial ventures through education and leadership development opportunities. Since the two clubs have similar mission-statements, Box Elder participates in both.”

Keller said she thinks the group is important because it gets young people thinking about their identity and how their ideas can contribute to a better world.  

“It helps them set goals for their future and provide them success in real-world situations. It helps them see themselves as a participant and a contributor in successful ventures,” she said. “Finally, it gets them around other like-minded, motivated young people. A group like that can change the world. Kids don’t know the power of their thoughts and their voice until they take a risk. These organizations help students step out, and as they do, they discover more than they ever knew about their own expertise and the power of positivity.”

The groups are holding several fundraisers to help pay for their travel expenses and registration fees for the students to participate at regionals, state and national level competitions

One of those fundraisers is Thursday at Pizza Hut, the latest in a series of fundraisers.

“This year we have been fundraising to accomplish the goal to compete again, by setting up photo booths for community nights, selling food at games, holding root beer float sales, et cetera,” she said.