Jolly Jaunt....Brrr....

The Jolly Jaunt was a great time! A whole bunch of members showed up and I was so happy!


Timmy and I told Santa what we wanted for Chistmas. :) Santa told us that one of us has been bad and might get coal unless we shape up.


Allison almost fell in this hole.


Timmy is so sure that he's getting what he asked Santa for.


We raised over $1600! Thank you to our amazing chapter. And a special thank you to Timmy - our fabulous Historian for taking pictures and going above and beyond. :)

Welcome!

I would like you all to say congratulations to Nick as he takes over the Treasury position for our chapter of BPA. Sadly, Chris is unable to continue in this position for personal reasons. We will miss her and thank her for her help! But let's take a moment to say welcome to Nick as he takes over the position. If you remember, Nick and Chris ran against each other and it was a tight race. It's only appropriate that Nick take on the position, and I'm sure he'll do a great job. I already have him rolling $6,000 in quarters. :) Thanks Nick!

Just For Fun!

So, if your life was a movie title, what would it be? Mine might be "Psycho". :)

BP's Got Talent! YAY Curtis!

Congratulations to Curtis for winning first place in the talent show! If you weren't there, Curtis sang Flake by Jack Johnson. He had the crowd into it and it even looked like he winked at Ms. Fiero. Way to go, Curtis! What did you guys think of the talent show?

Thanks to the alumni that were there! I saw Beth, Sarah, Shaun, Kevin, Melissa, Sam...and a bunch of others! :) Thanks for supporting! Dallas, here we come!

A special thanks to everyone who helped in large or small ways. You know it can't be done without a small army. Thanks, thanks, thanks!

A message from the president

Event Deadlines are quickly approaching and maybe you still have no idea where to start? Well, first of all you need to go to the events webpage (http://www.bpanet.org/events/_doc/2009/2009WSAPguidelines.pdf) and look at the events. There are plenty of them for everyone. All different shops and interests can find something for to suit your needs. There are group competitions, individual, judged, and computer events, for those who don't like to present in front of people. With over 50 events in all, I'm sure you'll be able to find something. One person can do up to 3 computer events and 2 judged events, with one being a team, but this isn't advised. Don't put too much pressure on yourself. If it's your first year, maybe you just want to try one or two events. Just remember that you have to let Mrs. Sylvia or Mrs. Powers know what events you want to compete in by the next meeting, which is next Monday, November 24. This is because we can only take so many people for each event and if there's an over-book of people, we might have to have a small "in-school" competition for those who want to compete at states.

If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment or email one of the officers!
Sarah, President.

Shout Out to our Southeastern Peeps!

Hello to Mrs. Clifford and the awesome students that we were introduced to today. My officers enjoyed being at your school and look forward to getting to know you better from now until states. Hopefully we'll be able to help you out as you assemble your new chapter!

I guess your first order of business would be to let Mrs. Clifford know if you want to join BPA and then she'll register you. After that, start preparing, preparing, preparing!

Feel free to read this blog - you might be able to get a lot of good information as well as some nonsense too! Thanks for being great hosts. We'll see you around!

Your Historian Here!

Hello everyone! Timmy here and being elected as the new Historian of the chapter means I have to create a newsletter for the chapter! But I do have one problem; I can't think of what to call it! I'm having a brain block and I need the chapter's help. So comment on this post if you have any ideas of what to call the chapter newsletter or even if you have any ideas on topics I could post on the newsletter. Much appreciated!

-Timmy.

Congrats!

I'd like to introduce your new officer team for school year 2008-2009!

President: Sarah F., Vice President: Mike W., Secretary: Stephen H. Treasurer: Chris C., Historian: Timmy! I am thankful for a terrific team this year. I knew we couldn't go wrong with the candidates we had!

In the meantime, I'm putting together a binder for each of the shops who have students in BPA. This binder has all of the contests (guidelines) in which you can compete. I suggest you look through the binder and pick a few that are of interest to you. If you have questions or want clarification, send an email or comment here! The seasoned students love to share their ideas and comments!

Good meeting today! Stay tuned......

Officer Candidates!

So, it's official. We have some pretty awesome candidates running for office this year! Our elections will be held at our regular meeting on Monday, September 29 at 2:30. Only those members who have paid dues should attend the meeting, as you are the only ones eligible to vote. Our officer candidates are:

President:

Sarah F.

Vice President:

Mike W.

Secretary:

Stephen H.

Treasurer:

Chris C.
Nick G.

Historian:

Paige D.
Timothy N.

These people will be compiling their speeches, and you will be able to hear from them Monday. Good luck to the candidates!

Blazing New Trails!

Welcome back everyone! I hope you had an enjoyable summer and are ready to BLAZE NEW TRAILS to get yourselves to Dallas! I wanted to let you all know that the new guidelines are posted. I should be having a meeting some time during the week of September 15. Try to recruit members from other shops because other students add so much to our chapter! I would also like you to start thinking about becoming chapter officers. We'll be having our elections just as soon as members pay their membership dues!

More later! P.S. That's Stephen at Lake Tahoe!

Farewell for the summer

My first attempt at a podcast! This took me two hours to figure out. (If I indeed figured it out. :)

BPA Limericks! (kinda, sorta)

Mass BPA went to Reno
You may ask why did we go?
KevBen was elected
Four others were selected
We were all winners, what do you know!



Chris Cady cast his spell
Secrets we would tell
Tim danced a tango
Played an air piano
And Ms. Sylvia caught it on her cell



Got one?

Time of Reckoning!

So we are 25 minutes from boarding the bus to the convention center to find out who won. We already know that Sara got called for finals for Prepared Speaking! So far she will hold the $300 prize money alone!

We went to Lake Tahoe today - our only real day out of the hotel. The hotel had so much to offer, that we didn't really have to leave, but wow! Tahoe was absolutely gorgeous!

Something so funny happened last night! Timmy got hypnotized and modeled for us, played "air" piano and a whole bunch of other things. All I have to say to Timmy is "Chris Cady!" I feel good!!!!!!!

We'll let you know who won! Thank you to all the students. You all behaved perfectly and I hope you are taking home an experience to last a lifetime. Always remember, our world is a big place that needs exploring!

National Campaign Under Way!

Wow! What a week it's been. I'm writing this blog post from Reno, NV where Kevin has just finished his campaign rally and national officer speech. I must say, HE WAS AMAZING! It was fun to watch Kevin answer the tough questions at the rally and nail just about all of them! I was also inspired by our whole BP chapter and the other students from Massachusetts who came out to help get the good word out! A special thanks to our state officers and Taconic!


In other news, many of the students have competed and the worst is behind them. We will have to wait until Saturday to find out the results. Remember - there's a $300 prize to be split among all of those who make it on the national stage for winning their event.


Mrs. Powers and I are enjoying the trip - our students are all so well behaved and a blast to be with. Tomorrow, Mrs. P. and I will be proctoring an accounting test for the post-secondary students.

Oh! Kristen and Melissa just got back from their Medical Office test, banged on our door, and exclaimed that they "rocked it!" So we shall see!

Peanut Butter Jelly Time, Peanut Butter Jelly Time....

Peanut Butter Jelly and a baseball bat! I'm not sure where that comes from, but I'm sure you guys know that song!

So I was out doing errands for Reno today and I found myself at Target. I ran into an illustrious BPA alumni member, Jessie Adams. She asked about our trip to Reno and we made nice small talk. Side note: Jessie is very good at customer service. :) Anyway - she told me about how she brought peanut butter and jelly to nationals and ate PB&J sandwiches for lunch to save money! I thanked her for the advice and told her I would post the info on the blog! Thanks Jessie!

Who doesn't like PB&J?

Oh! I also called the hotel and requested a refrigerator for our room. You guys might want to do the same. It does cost $5.00 per day. This cost will be on you - the school will not cover it.

Don't forget your license or ID.

Don't forget that you have to tip the maid at the end of the week. Put money aside for that so you don't spend it.

The students who worked the car wash; Kevin B. Mike S. and Sarah M. will be getting $30.00. Thanks so much for coming guys - it's nice to know who you can count on! It was also very nice to see Jessie and Beth. I think it's important to keep alumni connections to our group. I love keeping in touch with our graduates!

Don't forget to pack your reference material, style manuals, pencils, pens, socks, bandaids, medicine, etc. Weigh your suitcase before you head out. If it's over 50 lbs, you'll be paying more money to check it! Wear easy on/off shoes to get through security.

I am going to schedule a meeting Monday. The meeting won't last long, but we can wrap up a couple of loose ends before we go.

Alumni - do you have any packing/food/national advice??

Nationals are almost here!!

Okay, who's excited? I think Chelsea and Savannah are - they're so excited, their tongues turned blue! I am. Mrs. Powers is! Shaun is VERY excited! He cannot wait! Nick and Steven are! Woo hoo!

Car Wash

Hey Everyone! We are having a car wash on Sunday, April 27 from 9:00 to 1:00 p.m. The money we make for the car wash will not only go to our national team, but will also help Kevin Benjamin raise the $200 he needs for his candicacy. Those of you who volunteered for the car wash should show up at school at 8:35 a.m. on April 27. Bring old clothes. Kevin will be making sandwich signs for students to wear while standing at the entrance of Hart St. and Rt. 140.

Hoping to make at least $200 on this event! Tell everyone you know. $5.00 per car!

Alumni - you're welcome to come get your car washed for $4.00!! Just mention that you are BPA alumni (I'll be there to verify!) and you'll get a discount. I'd love to see you!

Congrats!

I'd like to congratulate all of the students who went to states March 8, 9, and 10! You are all a bunch of bright, energetic, fun students and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole weekend. We've been back for two days now, and I think I just finally recovered! I bet you guys were all fine yesterday - that's because you have youth on your side. :)

I'd like to know what your thoughts were of the weekend. Post your responses here - like: Did your events play out like you thought they would? Did you meet a lot of new friends? Did you like Roller Kingdom? Did you like the food? Was it harder than you thought, or easier? Will you do better next year knowing what you know now?

If you did not make the national team - I know you must be disappointed. I am too because I know many of you worked extremely hard. But hopefully you have another year to give it another go! Take what you learned this year and apply it to next year and hopefully you can make it to Dallas!

To the students who made it to nationals - YEAH, BP! We have a lot to decide in the next couple of weeks - so sit tight and wait for the info from me. In the meantime - reprint your guideline for your event and read it very carefully. We have national deadlines - probably April 1 or 2 where we have to mail out certain items. If you miss this deadline - you won't go to nationals!

A special congrats to Kevin for his bid for national office! He's going to need our whole chapter behind him as he embarks on uncharted territory! Be supportive and let's help get him to office!

Over and out for now....

Brainiacs Welcome!

Congratulations to Amy for winning the prize yesterday! The correct answer was D - 255 characters for a file name.

Let's see who can get today's challenge - it's a little more difficult!

Johnny Depp deposited these items: 21 twenties, 15 tens, 24 fives, 27 ones, 35 halves, 29 quarters, 183 dimes, 392 pennies, and checks for $42.58, $270.16, and $37.02. What was the total deposit?
A. $1,071.15
B. $1,108.17
C. $1,078.73
D. $1,113.73

The question today is open to everyone - BPA members, non-members, alumni, etc.! Correct answers must be posted here - not yelled out or emailed or flown in by paper airplane. :) Good luck!

Trivia, Trivia, Trivia!

Try to answer this question!

1. Document names created in Word can be up to _____ characters in length, including drive letter and any folder names, and may include spaces.
A. 250
B. 25
C. 100
D. 255

Meeting re-cap.....

Hi everyone,

Happy New Year! I'm going to recap some of the things we went over during our last meeting.

All competitors can go to http://www.mabpa.com to get more information about the contests. There's a cover, pin and writing contest where you can win MONEY.

All of you should have printed your guidelines. If you click that link, scroll down near the bottom to find your event. Click on it, print it and become VERY familiar with it!

Judged events - most have to be to me by February 13. The previous date was February 14, but that has changed. Interview Skills, Global Marketing, Presentation Management, and others - if you're unsure, please ask.

Cost of states: $175.00. This will be due the Tuesday we return from winter break. You can pay sooner - checks should be made payable to BP-BPA. I will be writing a letter to your parents and enclosing permission slips, etc.

Valentine flower sale will begin on January 28! Still waiting to hear a price on the flowers - I should have the price this week.

I'll be staying after school on Wednesday's if you need me. Let me know a day beforehand, just so I can make sure my schedule is cleared, okay? But I'm trying to leave Wednesday's open, barring the unavoidable meeting or two!

Go Pats!