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CTC Students Compete and Shine at Business Professionals of America

CTC Students Compete and Shine at Business Professionals of America
Graphic that says Proud moments, Big Wins-click to see our BPA students on the national stage.
Springfield-Clark Career Technology Center (CTC) students recently took their talents to the national stage at the 2025 Business Professionals of America (BPA) National Leadership Conference, held in Orlando, Florida. Representing just one chapter among nearly 800 schools nationwide, a small but mighty group of CTC students joined nearly 7,000 BPA members to learn, lead, and compete in career-building events.
 
From business and technology to communication and leadership, CTC students participated in a variety of workplace skill competitions and brought home national recognition—along with some serious bragging rights.


Nationwide Competition Results

“Watching our students grow through each level of BPA competition—from regionals in January, to state in March, and nationals in May—has been incredibly rewarding. Each step challenged them in new ways, helped them sharpen their professional skills, and boosted their confidence. By the time they reached the national stage, they weren’t just students competing—they were young professionals representing our school, their communities, and their future careers,” shared BPA Advisor and Digital Media Design instructor Mary Leonard.

CTC students who represented us at the BPA National Leadership Conference and their accomplishments include:

  • Laurali Donnaker, a Digital Media Design student from Greenon High School – Participated in Advanced Interview Skills.
  • Robert Elliot, a Digital Media Design student from Springfield High School – 5th Place in Advanced Desktop Publishing.
  • Madison Houck, a Digital Media Design student from Greenon High School – 19th Place in Basic Office Systems & Procedures.
  • Cade Ireton, a Digital Media Design student from Northwestern High School – 15th Place in Fundamental Desktop Publishing.
  • Julianne Lookabaugh, a Digital Media Design student from Springfield High School – Honored with the prestigious Ambassador Torch Award for community service and leadership.
  • Ronald Sullivan, a Software Programming Technologies student from Tecumseh High School – 26th Place in Database Applications and scored 2nd highest on the Microsoft Office Specialist Access Expert 2019 Certification Exam!


More Than a Competition

While competition was a highlight, students also engaged in leadership development workshops, connected with business professionals, and gave back through service projects supporting the Special Olympics, BPA’s national service partner. They even had time to explore local attractions, making the trip an unforgettable experience.

“Career-Technical Student Organizations like BPA provide students with invaluable opportunities to prepare for their future careers,” said Michelle Patrick, Superintendent of Springfield-Clark Career Technology Center. “Through events like this, students engage in real-world scenarios and problem-solving. Just as importantly, they connect with peers from across the country and network with industry professionals and vendors. We’re incredibly proud of how our students represented CTC and their home districts on the national stage.”

For more information and related news on on BPA visit SCCTC.org/BPA. Watch the recorded awards ceremonies at NLC.BPA.org

Two high school guys stand in front of a sign that says Capture the Moment at a conference sponsored by Business Professionals of America.

CTC students Robert Elliot and Ronald Sullivan brought their A-game to Orlando! 🏆 Robert placed 5th nationally in Advanced Desktop Publishing, while Ronald placed 26th in Database Applications and earned 2nd highest on the Microsoft Access Certification Exam!

Young woman wearing glasses holds a battery-powered candle on stage as part of the Ambassador Torch Award ceremony.
Julianne Lookabaugh, a Digital Media Design student from Springfield High School, received the prestigious Ambassador Torch Award Ambassador for community service and leadership.
Six high school students pose with giant white letters spelling B - P - A.

Six students from CTC's BPA chapter traveled to Orlando, Florida for the National Leadership Conference. The students joined nearly 7,000 BPA members to learn, lead, and compete in career-building events. 

Left to Right:

  • Robert Elliot, a Digital Media Design student from Springfield High School - 5th Place in Advanced Desktop Publishing
  • Ronald Sullivan, a Software Programming Technologies student from Tecumseh High School - 26th in Database Applications and scored 2nd highest on the Microsoft Office Specialist Access Expert 2019 Certification Exam!
  • Laurali Donnaker, a Digital Media Design student from Greenon High School - Participated in Advanced Interview Skills.
  • Cade Ireton, a Digital Media Design student from Northwestern High School - 15th in Fundamental Desktop Publishing
  • Julianne Lookabaugh, a Digital Media Design student from Springfield High School - Honored with the prestigious Ambassador Torch Award for community service and leadership.
  • Madison Houck, a Digital Media Design student, from Greenon High School - 19th in Basic Office Systems & Procedures