College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) chapter of Business Professionals of America [2] (BPA) demonstrated their extraordinary level of professionalism and business and information technology skills at the BPA State Leadership Conference [3] last week in Boise.

Students competed during the three-day event against students from Idaho institutions ranging from two-year technical colleges to four-year universities. This competition showcased the high level of skills obtained in CWI's Career and Technical Education [4] (CTE) programs.  Seven students from CWI participated, six of whom achieved top-five finishes in multiple competitions and will be eligible to represent CWI at the BPA National Leadership Conference [5] this year in May in Orlando, Florida.

BPA [2] is a Career and Technical Student Organization [6] providing opportunities for students to progress in and expand their professional and technical skills, giving them opportunities not provided simply by obtaining a degree. CWI's local chapter is advised by Seth Akers [7], Assistant Professor of Network Administration.

Awards

First Place

• Winton Watkins – Server Administration Using Microsoft
• Jack Lauteren – Network Administration Using Cisco
• Samuel McKinley – Computer Security

Second Place

• Reese Murphy – Advanced Interview Skills
• Jack Lauteren – Computer Network Technology
• Winton Watkins – Computer Security
• Jack Lauteren – Device Configuration & Troubleshooting
• Samuel McKinley – Linux Operating System Fundamentals
• Samuel McKinley – Network Administration Using Cisco

Third Place

• Joey Leal – Prepared Speech
• Andrew Paulus – Computer Security
• Winton Watkins – Computer Network Technology
• Connor Betz – Device Configuration and Troubleshooting

Business Professionals of America [8]