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Students from Lowell High School Business Professionals of America (BPA) chapter will attend the 2026 BPA National Leadership Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, May 6-10. The conference will bring together an estimated six thousand delegates from across the country to vie for top honors in business and information technology skills competitions, attend leadership and professional development workshops, receive awards for community service activities and elect BPA’s 2026–27 national student leadership team. 

 

“The National Leadership Conference is more than just a competition—it’s a celebration of dedication, growth, and achievement,” said Patrick Schultz, BPA’s Executive Director. “We are thrilled to bring together BPA’s best and brightest to showcase their talents, build lifelong connections, and take the next steps in their leadership and career journeys.” 

 

Before heading to Nashville, Lowell members competed at the MA BPA State Leadership Conference in Southbridge, MA this past weekend. With members from 18 other chapters to contend with, Lowell members competed, attended workshops, interned for conference activities, elected State Officers, enjoyed entertainment activities, participated in Special Events and anticipated the Final Awards Ceremony.

 

On Saturday, Finnegan Gilday was recognized at the Honor Awards Ceremony as the Emerging Member of the Year; Awarded to an outstanding MA BPA student for their involvement in BPA's programs in their first two years of membership. This year, Finnegan earned his Executive Level and Diplomat Level in the Torch Awards Program and has served as the Chapter Secretary. This is his second year as a chapter member. Additionally, Advisor Jill Taylor was recognized as the MA BPA Advisor of the Year; this is the first year for this award to recognize a Chapter Advisor that has made a significant impact on BPA at the Chapter and State Level. Mrs. Taylor had previously served on the MA BPA Board of Directors and is completing her 18th year as the Lowell Advisor. Jill was nominated by 2021 Lowell High School graduate & current BPA Post-Secondary Executive Vice President Timothy Nguyen along with support from Chapter Presidents Dominic Lebron and Jannaca Lang. Jill is supported by co-advisors Charlotte Tacito and Wayne Taylor. Mr. Taylor also serves as a Classroom Educators Advisory Commitee member at the National level for BPA .

 

On Sunday, March 8, Lowell members were recognized at the Final Awards Ceremony in the following categories: 

Advanced Interview Skills: Third Place Rachel Ngene;

Banking & Finance: First Place Lucas Scollin, Fourth Place Hiro Neang, Fifth Place Jannaca Lang;

Digital Marketing Concepts Open: Second Place Lucas Scollin;

Ethics & Professionalism: First Place Finnegan Gilday, Fourth Place Katie Leon Alvarenga;

Extemporaneous Speech: Third Place Dominic Lebron;  

Financial Math & Analysis Open: Third Place Lucas Scollin, Fourth Place Hiro Neang;

Health Administration Procedures: Third Place Nermine El Maliji, Fourth Place Deviny Heng;

Human Resource Management: First Place Diandra Heung, Fourth Place Anahly Ven;

Interview Skills: Sixth Place Kimgech Bun;

Legal Office Procedures: First Place Finnegan Gilday, Second Place Ines El Maliji, Fourth Place Abigail Bartice;

Parliamentary Procedures Team: First Place Finnegan Gilday, Dominic Lebron, Ayara DaSilva, Abigail Bartice;

Personal Financial Management: First Place Lucas Scollin

Podcast Production Team: First Place Jannaca Lang, Deviny Heng, Hiro Neang, Katie Leon Alvarenga;

Presentation Team Event: Fourth Place Diandra Heung, Kelsey Malcolm, Rachel Ngene, Elijah Grossman

 

Lowell members also played a crucial role in the conference by serving as Interns for a variety of shifts. The Intern program at SLC provided students with experience in public relations, meeting planning, leadership, and team building. Serving as Interns were: Savannah Smith, Katelyn Sree, Cindy Soth, Angela Kaing, Rachel Ngene, Kimgech Bun, Ines El Maliji, Kelsey Malcolm, Anahly Ven, Deviny Heng, Ginnelys Torres-Fernandez, Xavier Sselwanga and Nermine El Maliji.

 

The Massachusetts Merit Scholar Award is inspired by the prestigious National Merit Scholar Award in the BPA Cares Program and is open to any advisor or student member. To achieve this honor in Massachusetts BPA, a member must score 70% or higher on the objective exam, which consists of 50 multiple-choice and true/false questions. Lowell members earning their State Merit Scholar were: Katie Leon Alvarenga, Hiro Neang, Finnegan Gilday, and Advisor Jill Taylor.

 

The State Leadership Conference ended with the election of the 2026/2027 State Officer Team and after two days of campaigning, hours of preparation, and a Campaign Rally, Finnegan Gilday was elected to the MA BPA State Officer Team and will serve at the State Secretary for MABPA.

 

"As one of the leading Career & Technical Student Organizations, BPA provides students the opportunity to learn and grow in a variety of business related subjects and our Lowell High School students are able to experience real world business skills," explained advisor Jill Taylor, "I am so proud of the 24 students who worked over the past 12 weeks to prepare for their competive events! We look forward to Amplifying our Impact in Nashville."

 

The 2026 National Leadership Conference is presented by Certiport, a Pearson VUE business, the leading provider of certification exam development, delivery, and program management services. Conference attendees can obtain valuable industry certifications during the during the event. 

 

While in Nashville, participants will also have opportunities to network with other BPA members and business leaders, visit iconic Nashville attractions, and participate in community service activities. 

 

The conference’s opening session on May 6 and awards ceremonies on May 9 will be streamed live online. 

 

About Business Professionals of America Business Professionals of America (BPA) is the premier Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) for middle, high school, and college/university students preparing for careers in business and information technology. BPA provides opportunities for growth through education, competitive events, leadership development, and community service. The organization has more than 60,000 members in schools across the United States and in Canada, China, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Singapore, South Korea, and United Kingdom. Learn more at www.bpa.org.