By Niklas Means on Apr 18, 2023

Hardin MS Business Professionals qualify for Nationals

Middle schoolers still raising money for trip to California

Joy

Members of the Hardin Middle School Business Professionals of America chapter qualified to compete at nationals in Anaheim, California. Those traveling to California include, (from left) Luke Brien, Nolan Vandersloot, Aidan Vandersloot, Carlos Pisano, Maci Millar, (in the back) Anastasia. Wesley Walks and Toby Mark were not present. / Photo by NIklas Means, Four Points Press

Eight members from Hardin’s Business Professionals of America team qualified for the National BPA competition after placing at the state conference in Billings earlier this month.

This year, the national conference will be held in Anaheim, California, right near the famed Disneyland, which the students will have the opportunity to visit.

“We know that this might be an experience they won’t have the chance to explore in the future,” Explained Christy Morse, Middle School Teacher and BPA Advisor.

The trip is estimated to cost around $18,000 for all students to go, including travel costs, food, hotels, and spending money. The club has raised most of the needed funding through aggressive fundraising efforts, school concessions, a BPA club owned coffee cart and raffles. As of this moment, the students are about $4,000 away from their goal.

“The students have been fundraising all year,” Morse said. “Actually when you sign up for BPA, we tell you that you’ll be fundraising for the entire year.”

The vast majority of money for the trip has been raised by the BPA club. American Indian Consulting Services donated $1,000.

The students will leave Montana for Los Angeles on Monday, April 24, and return to Montana on Sunday, April 30. During that time the students will participate in their events, including C++ coding, web design, and more. When not participating in events, students have visits to Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm and Universal Studios planned.

BPA is still holding a spring raffle, with the grand prize being a “Summer Grillin’ Package”. Other prizes include a free oil change from Mike’s Quick Lube, and free drinks courtesy of Sassy Sips. The raffle is continuing until April 21, tickets are $5. Contact Christy Morse at (406) 860-3649 for more information.

BPA does accept donations by check. Checks can be filled to Hardin BPA, courtesy of Christy Morse, 611 W. 5th St. Hardin, MT 59034.

Carlos Pisano, one of the qualifying students wanted to encourage more people to join, “It’s a great club! And it looks good on a college application.”

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