Niles High School seniors Ele Hein and Madison Martin finished in the top 10 percent in their respective events during the Business Professionals of America (BPA) 2014 National Leadership Conference, “Accelerate Your Future,” in Indianapolis April 30 through May 4.

Hein and Martin joined more than 5,000 other conference delegates from across the nation to participate in national level business skills competitions, workshops, general sessions, and the national officer candidate campaigns and elections. Besides having the opportunity to excel, they also got to experience the city of Indianapolis.

“The conference was the culmination of a school year’s worth of business education and training which members of the local chapter of Business Professionals of America at Niles High School have received,” said chapter advisor, Alyse Hoyt, who teaches graphic design and production at Niles High School, Career Technology Education Center.

Hein competed in Parliamentary Procedure Concepts and Martin competed in Administrative Support Concepts. Hein also passed the National Association of Parliamentarians certification test and is now a registered and certified National Parliamentarian.

NAP provides services and products to help its members and the general public learn how to effectively participate in and manage meetings of deliberative assemblies such as school boards, homeowners associations, church boards, and volunteer organizations. NAP also provides continuing education and accreditation for parliamentarians who provide professional services to these types of organizations.

Business Professionals of America is a national organization for high school, college, and middle school students preparing for careers in business and information technology. The organization’s activities and programs complement classroom instruction by giving students practical experience through application of the skills learned at school. Business Professionals of America acts as a cohesive agent in the nationwide networking of education and business and industry. BPA is contributing to the preparation of a world-class workforce through the advancement of leadership, citizenship, academic, and technological skills.

“Their high ranking is a reflection of the excellent rigor, value and dedication our Niles community and school has poured into our youth’s education and academic foundation,” Hoyt said. “We are very proud of our ladies’ accomplishments they have worked hard. Finishing in the top ten percent among the nations’ brightest up and coming business professionals is extremely difficult.”