Photo courtesy of Brenda Kellen The Marshall Computer Animation Team of Loghan Conway, Josh Bauer, Anna DeGroot, and Madelyn Brockberg took first place at the Minnesota Business Professionals of America State Leadership Conference held Friday and Saturday.

MARSHALL — It’s been a good year for Marshall students involved in Minnesota Business Professionals of America.

Last weekend, Marshall High School students showcased their talents — and set a new school record — at the annual BPA State Leadership Conference in Minneapolis. A total of 23 MHS students received state recognition in competitive events, with seven entries taking first-place honors.

That’s a first for Marshall BPA, said adviser Brenda Kellen.

“I’ve had students win first place before, but never seven in one year,” Kellen said. “There are so many smart students throughout the state and it is very hard to place in most events, and then to place first is just fantastic. Now we have another goal to achieve for next year.”

During the school year, Minnesota BPA students compete in nearly 70 events focused on topics like finance, business administration, marketing and more. After qualifying earlier this year, 43 MHS students participated in the State Leadership Conference.

“Many of our kids work so hard on preparing, and it is great to see the hard work pay off when they get called to the stage,” Kellen said. “Marshall Public Schools has many teachers in our buildings that contribute to all their success. BPA students are taking what they have learned in the classroom and winning awards.”

Students who placed first in their respective competitive events included Joshua Bauer in computer security; Joshua Bauer, Madelyn Brockberg, Loghan Conway and Anna DeGroot on the computer animation team; Madelyn Brockberg in intermediate word processing; Anna DeGroot in computer server administration using Microsoft; Kenzie Freese in fundamental word processing; Jasmine Mortland in ICD-10-CM medical diagnostic coding; and Brennen Thooft in fundamental spreadsheet applications.

In addition, Cloie Stevens was named the recipient of the Minnesota BPA Joan Spraengler Scholarship at the conference. One outstanding BPA member receives the scholarship each year, Kellen said.

The next stop for BPA students after state leadership conferences will be the National Leadership Conference, which will be held in Anaheim, California, in April.

Marshall BPA State Leadership Conference results

• Joshua Bauer, Computer security, 1st

• Joshua Bauer, Computer animation team, 1st

• Madelyn Brockberg, Intermediate word processing,1st

• Madelyn Brockberg, Computer animation team,1st

• Loghan Conway, ICD-10-CM medical diagnostic Coding, 3rd

• Loghan Conway, Computer animation team, 1st

• Daylin Crowley, Health administration procedures, 2nd

• Daylin Crowley, Health insurance & medical billing, 4th

• Anna DeGroot, Server administration using Microsoft, 1st

• Anna DeGroot, Computer animation team, 1st

• Jaina Dekker, SQL database fundamentals, 4th

• Jordan Duscher, Video production team, 3rd

• Dalton Edens, Advanced word processing, 5th

• Kenzie Freese, Fundamental word processing, 1st

• Tom Hanson, Video production Team, 3rd

• Jasmine Mortland, ICD-10-CM medical diagnostic coding, 1st

• Jasmine Mortland, Video production team, 3rd

• Thu Lay Paw, Fundamental word processing, 5th

• Keaton Runia, Video production team, 3rd

• Brennen Thooft, Fundamental spreadsheet applications,1st

• Trina Vo, Management, marketing and human resources, 2nd

• Other MHS students who were top 10 finalists and received awards: Claire Allen, Augie Sturrock, Tyler Sprik, Mary Lanoue, Tiffany Davis, Evan Schotzko, Matthew Bauer, and Edward Nubile.