By JESSICA SIEFF
Edwardsburg Argus

The challenges facing students coming out of high school these days are many.

Students face heftier financial burdens when it comes to paying for college and increasing competition for aid.

And all of those challenges are preceding an even more intense increase in the competition taking place out in today’s job market.

But some Edwardsburg students are getting a little bit of early education in how to handle the world of business, hopefully putting them ahead of the curve.

Out of the 40 members taking part in the Edwardsburg Chapter of the Business Professionals of America (BPA), five have received state honors and will advance to national competition at the BPA National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, Calif., in May.

“Most of everything we do is real world connected,” adviser Tanya Lillie said. “I think it gives them skills, it helps prepare them for college.”

The program has been quite successful, she added.

“Our membership grows,” she said. “Every year it gets bigger.”

Twenty students received regional recognition and 16 participated in state level competition since January.

Of those, Cameron Breisch placed first in Financial Math; Jalen Williams placed second.

Breisch also placed third in Payroll Accounting; and Williams placed third in Fundamental Spreadsheet Applications. Elise Mackling placed second in Desktop Publishing and Jennifer Mackling placed fifth. Ellen Miller placed third in Extemporaneous Speech.

Edwardsburg BPA students have been to nationals three previous times, since becoming an official chapter, Lillie said.

The program is now in its sixth year.

“We’ve only missed one year at nationals,” she said. “Which is really remarkable.”