Business, technology students flock to Montana state finals DECA and BPA competition

Dozens of students from many small town schools cheered as Belt students Sam Sweeney, Carly Raska, Alex Estrada and Levi Hansen came from behind to win the opening round of the DECA quiz show championship Tuesday at the Heritage Inn in Great Falls.

They correctly answered marketing and personnel questions.

But students from large schools grumbled loudly that the Missoula Sentinel team, undefeated to that point, had earned another match. Officials agreed, and Sentinel — with team members James Parmenter, Tia Fluri, Greg Suk and Chelsea Volkerts — shut out Belt for the title.

The event typified the keen competition and brightness of two large groups of business and technology students who concluded their joint, two-and-a-half-day convention Tuesday in Great Falls.

Some 1,260 high school students and advisers from 85 state schools were present for the joint conferences of the Business Professionals of America and DECA, which initially stood for Distributive Education Clubs of America, said state advisor Diana Fieldler.

By PETER JOHNSON
Tribune Staff Writer

Full Story: http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050309/NEWS01/503090307/1002

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The winners qualify for the week-long national DECA competition in Los Angeles, CA in April. Congratulations to all.

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Students qualify for national conference

By The Helena IR

Five Helena High Business Professionals of America (BPA) members qualified for the National Leadership Conference at the recent state competition, held in Great Falls, March 6-8.

More than 70 BPA chapters from across Montana attended the state conference, testing their knowledge and expertise in business and technological skills, public speaking, management, and entrepreneurship.

The following students qualified for the National Leadership Conference: Kyle Tatchell placed first in PC Servicing and Troubleshooting, first in Computer Network Technology, and third in CISCO Systems Administration; Jake Thielen placed fourth in Integrated Office Applications, and third in Fundamental Word Processing; Whitney Chamberlin placed third in Advanced Interview Skills; Anne Runkel placed fifth in Basic Office Systems and Procedures and Erin Chamberlin will be receiving a prestigious Ambassador Torch Award for her service and leadership.

The conference will be held April 22-25 in Anaheim, Calif.

http://helenair.com/articles/2005/03/12/helena/c02031205_03.txt