September/October 2014
First and foremost, I would like to congratulate all of our Florida members with their great success at this past National Leadership Conference. As your new state president, I would like to build off of last year’s success and use that momentum to make this year the best yet! As an organization, I believe we can come together and boost our membership, improve communication and maximize member involvement. I would like to hear your ideas and be able to work together to accomplish these goals. I am excited to get this year going and wish everyone the best of luck this academic year.
Sincerely,
James Shefferman
Florida BPA President
Florida Business Professionals of America
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Welcome to the 2014-2015 year with BPA. It will be an exciting journey as we “Imagine” what we can become, “Believe” it can happen, and we “Become” the best we can be. The journey holds much excitement, be a part of it!
It is BPA’s fiftieth anniversary. The National Office is planning a spectacular year with the culminating NLC in Anaheim, California. Encourage your alumni to submit their success stories on the National BPA site. Be a part of the memories that are the Business Professionals of America.
As you get ready for your region competition, set your goals high and work hard to achieve them. Reach for the stars and realize success. Ask your advisor for study materials, old contests, any resource that will make your performance the best it can be. Last year’s region events are available from my office. All your advisor has to do is ask.
Good luck at region events in the next month or so. Then I will see you in Orlando where we will pave our road to the National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, California. Always remember: “Imagine”, “Believe” and “Become”
Dr. Levenhagen
State Advisor
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Florida Business Professionals of America
James Shefferman-Florida BPA President
The 2014-2015 Florida State President, James Shefferman, is currently a senior at Pompano Beach High School. Having been in BPA for 3 years now, James is looking to run for National Office next year in Anaheim, California. After taking classes this summer at New York University, James hopes to go there after high school and pursue a career in Producing for Film. James plans to boost membership this year and help to improve member involvement.
“BPA has allowed me to meet many different people and has provided me with tons of opportunity’s that I would have never experienced anywhere else. I hope that our Florida chapter has another great year and makes a huge impact at the NLC this year in Anaheim, California.”
Joseph “Joe” LoMonaco-Florida BPA Vice President
“I’m Joseph LoMonaco, your Florida BPA Vice President for 2014-2015. The reason that I joined BPA was because my brother started the program at my school. I looked up to him for that, and I knew that I had to take BPA to a whole new level;; winning competitions was not enough. So I decided to run for Florida BPA state Vice President. I was lucky enough to earn the position. One key factor about me that qualifies me to lead is my selfdetermination. I was involved with six clubs after school, and two sports. As this is my last year at Freedom High School in Orlando, I look forward to spending it serving on this fantastic Florida BPA Leadership team. I hope you will be proud to have me in office, as I am happy to represent my fellow BPA Members!”
Florida Business Professionals of America
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Isaac Glener-Florida BPA Secretary
Isaac Glener, currently serving as your 2014-2015 State Secretary, is a proud BPA member at Crooms Academy of Information Technology, where he upholds the position of President of his chapter. Isaac is a sophomore who joined BPA his freshmen year and took initiative to accept all the opportunities BPA had to offer him. He hopes that you too will accept these opportunities and use them to excel as a business professional.
In addition to BPA, Isaac participates in other activities outside of BPA, such as Beta Club and Mu Alpha Theta. He is now a Student Ambassador where he helps his school recruit students and business partners by sharing information about Crooms with the community. Isaac also plays volleyball for Crooms, and participates in community service activities for Seminole County. Isaac's plans for the future are to become a broadcast journalist, so he can give back to his community by keeping them informed.
"BPA has offered so many opportunities to excel and strengthen myself as a business professional, which has helped me even outside of BPA. I hope you also take the initiative to strive for your goals in and outside of BPA. I can't wait to give back to you, my fellow BPA members, by serving as your state secretary, and I hope to meet you this year at NLC!
Ryan Mackler-Florida BPA Reporter
Ryan Mackler, serving as your 2014-2015 State Reporter, is sophomore at Crooms Academy of Information Technology. When he heard about the opportunity to join BPA, he jumped right in. Ryan was equally eager to join Florida’s state officer team, and is bursting with ideas to help make Florida one of the best states in this incredible organization. When not devoting his time to BPA, Ryan plays competitive tennis through the United States Tennis Association. He is also a member of Mu Alpha Theta, Student Ambassadors, is the Treasurer for his sophomore class, and is currently number 1 in his class! Ryan is also very proud to help teach at and volunteer with his local synagogue.
“Business Professionals of America is an fantastic organization, and I am honored to be apart of it. I look forward to helping Florida BPA reach its highest potential in the upcoming year. Please contact me with any questions, concerns, comments, ideas, anything at all! I would love to hear Florida Business Professionals of America
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Madelyn Andrew -Florida BPA Middle Level President
Hi! My name is Madelyn Andrew. I attend Deland Middle School and am very proud to be your Florida BPA Middle Level State President. My main goal for the organization is to work towards growing the middle level division's membership. If you have any ideas as to how we should go about doing that, feel free to share them with me. When I heard of BPA last year, I knew it was the club for me. It seemed like fun and a challenge at the same time. In order to help grow our membership, I challenge each of you to tell someone about all the great things that BPA has to offer and invite them to become a member. BPA can be even greater that what it is now, but it takes each of us to actively work to do so. Let's make this the best year in Florida BPA history!
Paige Harvey -Florida BPA Middle Level Vice President
Hi, my name is Paige Mahogany Harvey. I am extremely excited to be your Florida BPA Middle Level State Vice President. I attend Oceanway Middle School. I joined Business Professionals of America last year to try something new. It seemed like a fun activity and good organization. I'm usually a straight "A" student. I may happen to make a "B" every now and then. I absolutely love to play basketball. My favorite color is yellow its been yellow every since I was about 2. I love trying new things, new foods, new sports, anything! Although I am an active person, I also enjoy being about business. I love technology, anything that has to do with a computer or anything technical, I will surely get into it. Lastly, the most important thing about myself, it may be odd, but my grandma is my best friend in the whole world. Now that you know a little about me, lets talk about BPA. I look forward to seeing and being apart of the new enhancements that are to Florida BPA this year. I also look forward to meeting each if you at the state leadership conference in February 2015. Let's make it a great year in BPA!
Florida Business Professionals of America
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Imagine jumpstarting your future!
Believe you can achieve greatness!
Become the leader you've always dreamed!
This year’s National Leadership Conference is in Anaheim, California. We hope to see each and every one of you there!
If you have a BPA memory, share it on Facebook or Twitter (#bpamillion) to help collect some our best times for BPA’s 50th Anniversary
Check out bpamillion.bpa.org for more info
Florida Business Professionals of America
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Our Website
Our website, floridabpa.org, has been out of date for a long period of time. We are now working on updating it, and we hope to have it finished by the end of October. It will be home to a host of new opportunities, including the Bi-Monthly Report System, the Golden Chapter Award, and the Empowering Success Scholarship.
Bi-Monthly Report System
It is the goal of the state officer team to connect with each and every chapter in the Florida Association. Therefore, we are implementing a new program, known as the Bi-Monthly Report System. In this program, each chapter president will submit a report detailing his/her chapter’s activities for the past two months. These reports will then be reviewed by the State Officer team, and feedback will be given. Participation in the Bi-monthly report system is required for all chapters!
The first report will be due by the end of October. The reports will submitted through floridabpa.org.
Florida Business Professionals of America
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Golden Chapter Award
The Florida Association has some of the best chapters in the entire organization of Business Professionals of America. The state officer team wants to recognize each and every one at this year’s SLC. To do so, we have created a new merit award, the Golden Chapter. A few of the requirements to earn the award include electing chapter officers, participating in fundraisers, and engaging in a service project.
We hope each of our amazing chapters will strive to earn this new recognition. The application for this award can be found on our website, floridabpa.org. Empowering Success Scholarship
The State Officer Team wants to give each and every member of our Florida Association to represent the Sunshine State at NLC this year. We recognize that not every person who has earned the right to attend NLC has the financial ability to make the trip, and therefore it is our goal to create a scholarship to help those members in that situation. The application for this new opportunity can be found on our website, floridabpa.org.
Florida Business Professionals of America
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Competition Readiness
As our Regional Leadership Conference approach, we hope that you are all striving for success. Remember, information for events can be found on the national website, bpa.org.
To the Chapter Advisors and Officers:
Try planning events and activities that encourage each and every one of your members to put in 110 percent into their chosen competitions. Offer them advice, point them in the right direction. You are the leaders at the local levels that provide the support to Business Professionals of America.
To the Members of our Florida Association:
The opportunity for you to succeed is right in front of you. With your teachers, in your head, in the book or on the internet. We know that you have the ability. Take the initiative to boost your own dreams and those of your fellow BPA members. Imagine your future, believe you can succeed, and become the leader you’ve always dreamed of.
The Board of Advisors and the State Leadership Team wish you all the best of luck at your Fall Leadership Conferences. We hope to see you all at SLC in February.
Florida Business Professionals of America
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September/October 2014