Mariner Middle students take part in state leadership conference
A group of 15 students from Mariner Middle School attended the middle level Business Professionals of America State Leadership Conference at Dover Downs Feb. 28. This was the first time the Cape Henlopen School District had students representing the middle level.
Two of the seventh-graders, Camauri Reid and Austin Fetty, were selected to serve on the state leadership team as officers for a day. They were the only two students to receive this honor, beating out applicants from the other 22 middle schools present. Both students were partnered with a member of the state leadership team to help oversee the event, and to learn and develop their leadership skills. They were also provided with the opportunity to speak during lunch, as they helped to introduce the Torch Awards for community service.
In addition to participating in preregistered competitions, each of the 15 students also had the opportunity to participate in open events. In the Computer Literacy open, Dylan Roberts placed fourth, earning a medal and an invitation to represent the state at nationals.
“I couldn’t be more proud of all of our students who attended the BPA Leadership Conference,” said Dr. Daniel Shockley, student advisor and business education teacher at Mariner. “They each represented our school and district with pride, and showed immense amounts of maturity, commitment and support for one another.”
Despite Mariner Middle being new to the competition this year, judges recognized the hard work, practice and attention to detail the 15 participating students showed throughout the competition. Even the students who did not make it to finals were commended for showing great potential as future business leaders.
Mariner students’ competition results included Administrative Support Team 1: Mikey Jarrell, Dylan Roberts, Brian Sponaugle and Zach Burris - fifth place; and Team 2: George Delgaudio, Joseph Nsiah and Pablo Hernandez - 11th place; Extemporaneous Speech: Dylan Roberts - sixth place (finalist), and Brian Sponaugle - 27th place; Keyboarding Production: Jazmine Johnson - 14th place, and Camauri Reid - 29th place; Prepared Speech: Camauri Reid - 29th place, and Austin Fetty - 38th place; Presentation Management Team 1: Kelly Bragg, Olivia Duffield and Ashley Acevada - sixth place (finalists); and Team 2: Julissa Ward-Donahue and Karli Schrader - 12th place.
