Mariner BPA students earn national recognition

Although the BPA National conference was canceled due to COVID-19, a virtual celebration May 20 honored business students, including two from Mariner Middle who received the President’s Volunteer Service Award.

Mariner Middle teacher and BPA advisor Daniel Shockley said eighth-graders Sara Dawson and Morgan Newcomb were the only two middle school students to be recognized by President Trump for leadership, service and commitment to excellence. 

“This is the first time in the history of Mariner BPA that this award has been achieved,” Shockley said.  

Dawson, Newcomb and classmate Sara Kilby also received the BPA Ambassador Award, considered the highest BPA service award bestowed upon any member. 

“This is the second consecutive year Morgan has earned the Ambassador Award, and the first time for both Sara Dawson and Sara Kilby,” Shockley said. “Mariner has now had six students earn the coveted award in two years.”

All three students are second-year BPA members, Shockley said. Newcomb is chapter president and Dawson is vice president. 

Shockley said Newcomb placed fifth in Delaware in business math fundamentals and would have competed nationally. Since national competitions were canceled this year, he said, Newcomb and Dawson's four-person presentation management team, which finished third in the country in 2018-19, will retain its ranking for one more year.

Delaware's middle-level division, grades 7-8, was awarded the Professional Cup, defeating every other state, based on overall participation in the areas of professional development, community service and the State Leadership Conference throughout 2019-20, Shockley said.  

“The Professional Cup stays in Delaware, as middle-level won the award in 2018-19 as well,” he added.

Shockley said he could not be happier for or more proud of Dawson, Kilby and Morgan.

“They are true examples of the best of Cape and have tremendous futures ahead,” Shockley said. “As officers, Morgan and Sara Dawson have been by my side for the past two years helping build and shape our chapter, now in year three. There are no two others like them. I will miss them greatly moving forward.”