Business Professionals of America Lowell Chapter
This organization provides the opportunity for the development of leadership skills, personal & professional growth, and career related competencies. Enrollment in business-related courses is preferred but interest in business related fields are all you need to succeed in this club. Students are able to participate in career development opportunities through the Fall Leadership Conference, State Leadership Conference and National Leadership Conference. Membership in Business Professionals of America allows students to earn recognition in a variety of ways. The Torch Awards Program is one way student members document their participation. The Torch Awards Program is designed to encourage and motivate all members to actively participate on all the levels of BPA. Through their participation, members begin to develop a better understanding of people through personal development, achievement, and accomplishment through those different activities outlined by the Torch Program.
LOWELL CHAPTER WELCOMES 28 NEW MEMBERS--November 2009--By BPA Vice President Jeremy Hall
On November 24, members of Lowell High School Business Professionals of America Chapter participated in the First Annual Induction Ceremony in the Helen Droney Little Theatre at LHS. With family and friends looking on, members entered the Little Theatre and took their seat in front of invited guests. The ceremony began with the National Anthem sung by Neisha Gonzalez and followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Luz Gonzalez. Jeremy Hall offered the Invocation to all present.
Welcoming all, Advisor Jill McNamara conducted the induction of Action Team Officers: Keicha Mora, President; Jeremy Hall, Vice President; Wael Altali, Secretary/Treasurer; AnnaCelia Nagabesera, Parliamentarian; and Priya Patel, Reporter. Ceremony Committee Chair Neisha Gonzalez called member names as students moved to accept their BPA Membership Pin from Katherine Torres and flower from Priya Patel. Along with receiving a pin and flower, all attendees signed the Chapter Register confirming their induction. After being inducted, members recited the BPA pledge in unison led by Anna Celia Nagabesera.
Following the pledge, President Keicha Mora gave the chapter report of activities completed by members including Saints Medical Center Fall Festival for Life, Immaculate Conception Parish Picnic, Lowell Park Beautification Day, MA School Bank Association Fall Business Meeting, LHS Distinguished Alumni Night, and the MA BPA Fall Leadership Conference. Wael Altali acknowledged the Chapter Distinction Award which the Lowell Chapter has applied for and will receive recognition at the National State Leadership Conference in May.
The night ended with the Massachusetts BPA State Director Judith McKinstry speaking about the success the Lowell Chapter has achieved in a short time as well as the meaningful learning experience students will gain by being a member of this national organization. Dr. Roxane Howe sent the regards of Headmaster Samaras and encouraged students to remain involved in not only the club but the community as well. This night would not have been possible without the support of our gracious chapter sponsors; All Sports Promotions, Sal's Pizza, Bridge Street, Lowell, Subway Sandwich Shop, Merrimack Street, Lowell, and Sykes the Florist, Lowell.
Members inducted include: Katherine Torres-Gonzalez, Priya Patel, Keicha Mora, Wael Altali, Jeremy Hall, AnnaCelia Nabagesera, Alberta Adu, Maxine Andino, Mabel Boateng, Yulay Camilo, Godchild DeRosena, Thalia Dominguez, Ricky Gnoy, Luz Gonzalez, Faimmiah Menyongai, Marcelo Montoya, Tina Muiruri, Hivia Nascimento, Linda Nguyen, Emmanuel Poku, Timothy Richardson, Monica Sok, Florangel Suero, Jessica Tenczar, Kevin Thach, Monica Tith, Janirath Bun, Jonathan Pica, Andreia Ficher, Kaysha Garcia, Neisha Gonzalez
BPA members unable to attend the ceremony were: Tatiana Charlot, Kaylie Cossette, Maitrik Desai, Tinashe Gutu, Ariana Mangual, Joyce Medeiros, Jaida Neal, Jonathan Pica, Michael Sam, Tre St. Jean, Monica Tith, Dynnaro Yon, and Bowie Enders.
Haunted BPA Happenings by BPA Lowell Chapter Vice President Jeremy Hall--October 2009
Halloween's always a busy day; buying the candy, decorating your yards, getting costumes together, preparing for the kids.... But the children themselves just get to sit back and wait for the candy to be served! Unlike the normal Halloween for children, members of the Business Professionals of America Lowell Chapter were up by 8 and at the Wal-Mart in Tewksbury setting up for their 9-4 Halloween Happenings with two large tables, located right outside the entrance. Members contributed freshly baked goodies to entice shoppers while Halloween & Thanksgiving based arts and crafts bags for the little ones provided an incentive for people to support BPA. The best part of all...it was all free! Face painting available excited even the tiniest of tots with Maxine Andino providing full, funny faces for children small & large. Even if somebody didn't take any of the free opportunities, they left with a smile and a "Happy Halloween" from the members of BPA! Thank you to all those who contributed to BPA and to Roger from Wal-Mart for allowing our chapter members to entertain outside; members are currently raising funds to attend the National Leadership Conference in May. Anyone wishing to contribute to the cause may send donations to Jill McNamara, BPA Advisor at LHS, 50 Fr Morissette Blvd, Lowell, MA 01852.
TRICK OR TREATING FOR UNICEF by Tina Muiruri, Committee Chair--November 2009
Throughout the month of October students at Lowell High School worked to raise money for Trick or Treat for UNICEF (United Nations Children Fund). The Trick or Treat for UNICEF campaign has been ongoing for 56 years. It started in Philadelphia with two children who raised $17 for World War II victims and donated all the money to UNICEF. Currently, people all over the world participate in this event. During Halloween time kids can give up trick or treating for candy and trick or treat for a good cause instead.
At Lowell High School, Business Professionals of America junior Tina Muiruri brought Trick or Treat for UNICEF to the school after a 5 year absence. Tina learned about UNICEF through a trip she took to New York and the United Nations with GearUP Lowell during April vacation. Tina met with Advisory Room Representatives to explain the project and gave each Advisory Room a Trick or Treat box. Advisory Room Representatives then returned to their advisory rooms and collected funds over a short period of time. Advisories were encouraged to raise $10 per room. On October 30, Advisory Room Representatives returned boxes to Business Professionals of America and the money was counted. The Advisory Room to raise the most money received breakfast compliments of BPA.
Sophomore Advisory Room 334, under the direction of their Advisory Room Rep and Teacher Douangmany Warren, raised $106.23. Lowell High School sent a total donation of $871.69. Special recognition is given to Advisory Rooms 313 & 547 who made a great run at the Breakfast with BPA. Three students took the initiative to learn more about Trick or Treat for UNICEF and traveled in their home neighborhoods on Halloween night with letters explaining the project. Nicholas Tim, Christina Sok and Gabrielle Medina returned additional monies to BPA. The LHS donations will influence many children’s lives all over the world. With the money raised, UNICEF estimates that 300 blankets can be purchased for children in emergency situations.