Southwestern students recognized at national business conference

Three students from Southwestern Community College's Business Professionals of America (BPA) chapter joined nearly 7,000 members from across the world at the 2026 BPA National Leadership Conference, held May 6-10, in Nashville.

During the conference, students competed for national recognition in BPA's Workplace Skills Assessment Program (WSAP), showcasing their talents in business administration, finance, digital communication and design, information technology, management, marketing, and more.

In addition to competition, attendees participated in leadership workshops, connected with industry professionals, explored college and career opportunities, and engaged in service activities supporting Special Olympics, BPA's national service partner.

The following students from Southwestern attended the conference and placed during competition:

• Victoria Fletchall from Villisca earned third place in banking & finance, and fifth place in college accounting. She competed in six additional events.
• Mariah Sparks from Corning earned a second-place finish in fundamentals of web design, third in graphic design promotion, placed in the top 10 for digital marketing concepts, and competed in eight other events.
• Daisy Waetzig from Lamoni earned fifth in fundamental spreadsheet applications, earned the Microsoft Office Specialists Excel Certification, placed in the top 10 for interview skills, and competed in three other events.

A team of Fletchall, Sparks, and Waetzig earned second place in administrative support team competition.

Holly Booth, Southwestern business instructor and BPA advisor, accompanied the students on the trip.

Booth stated, "As a BPA advisor, I am incredibly proud of our students for their outstanding performance at the BPA National Leadership Conference. Their teamwork, preparation, and support for one another helped them excel on the national stage while representing our community college with professionalism and determination. They proved community college students can compete and succeed at the highest level."

This year's conference featured keynote speaker Sam Demma, whose message on resilience, leadership, and personal growth inspired attendees to take small actions that create a big impact. Southwestern students also explored the Exhibitor Showcase and College & Career Fair, gaining insight into future pathways and connecting with organizations that support their academic and professional goals.

"Attending the National Leadership Conference is a powerful experience for our students," said Patrick W. Schultz, BPA's executive director. "They not only demonstrate their skills at a national level but also grow as leaders, build confidence, and connect with peers and professionals from across the country."

The 2026 National Leadership Conference was made possible through the support of BPA's partners and sponsors, including presenting sponsors Pearson and College Board.

BPA's 2027 National Leadership Conference will be held in Denver, Colorado, from May 5 to 9, 2027.

PICTURED ABOVE: (L to R) - Southwestern Community College business students Daisy Waetzig of Lamoni; Victoria Fletchall of Villisca; and Mariah Sparks of Corning.

About Business Professionals of America
Founded in 1966, Business Professionals of America (BPA) is a premier Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) serving middle, high school, and college students preparing for careers in business, finance, information technology, and related fields. BPA provides opportunities for students to develop leadership, technical, and workplace skills through competition, education, and community service. The organization serves more than 60,000 members in nearly 1,500 chapters across the United States and internationally. Learn more at www.bpa.org.