Mariner Middle business students make history with national titles
After a strong showing in Delaware’s contest, Mariner Middle School business students bested thousands of other contestants in a two-week competition to earn two national titles and finish in the top 10 in several categories.
Held virtually this year, the Business Professionals of America national conference saw about 5,400 competitors from 42 states, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Guam and China compete in an array of categories, including administrative support, graphic design and keyboarding.
Regan Best, Rylie Cathcart, Bridgett Cole and Audrey Hershelman won the second-place national title in administrative support team, and Ava Calciano won the third-place national title in keyboarding production, said Mariner BPA advisor Daniel Shockley.
“While it is an amazing accomplishment to have any individual or team be named a Top 10 national finalist, those who take [places] 1 through 3 are truly exceptional,” Shockley said. “They are the best of the best in the country. I could not be more proud of our Mariner BPA national finalists, especially these fantastic five. They made both chapter and district history.”
For this reason, Shockley said, the only acceptable title for this year’s chapter was “A League of their Own.”
“Despite the challenges of this past year, Mariner BPA’s fourth cohort was more dedicated and more determined than ever,” Shockley said. “They secured our place as one of the state of Delaware’s strongest middle-level chapters, while putting both Mariner and Cape on the national stage as one of the country’s top middle school business programs. Their talent and success have set a new standard moving forward.”
Shockley said this was the first year all of Mariner’s delegation that qualified at states were also Top 10 finalists at nationals, a first for the entire Cape district.
Rounding out the top 10 national awards are Carly Favoroso, fourth place in extemporaneous speech; Maggie Minto, Adria Windish and Ellie Windsor, fourth place in video production team; Alexa Valentin-Pegueros, sixth place in graphic design promotion; and Maggie Minto, eighth place in graphic design production.
Students participated virtually in the national competition during the school day. In the past, Shockley said, students would prepare and practice in his room daily during lunch, which wasn’t permitted this year due to pandemic restrictions. So, students took the initiative to prepare themselves and motivate each other.
“This is truly all them,” Shockley said. “It was their dedication and hard work, and no advisor in the background.”
Club President Carly Favoroso said the team was driven to perform better than the year before.
“We wanted to place,” Carly said. “We were at home and not at school five days a week, so we had to motivate ourselves and push ahead.”
Shockley said Mariner’s BPA chapter was smaller this year due to the pandemic, but students became more focused as they tackled events that highlighted their strengths as individuals or the collective team.
“This paid off in dividends,” Shockley said. “Mariner showed schools across the country what true determination looks like. Next year will be a rebuilding year for Mariner BPA, as we will lose all but four members to high school. However, I am optimistic that with Audrey, Bridgett, Regan and Rylie's student leadership, our chapter will remain strong.”
