Deadlines and Commitments!

March always seems to come up so quickly, doesn't it? I figured I'd post some reminders for all of you.

We have a meeting this Monday, February 9. At the meeting I will be giving out all of the forms for our state competition. You will be drowning in paperwork! These forms will need to be signed and returned by Thursday the 12th. I have a meeting on our schedule for the 12th, but at this point I think it's just for those who need to come and work on their projects. Remember - anything judged has to be done by the end of next week, (February 13!)

Start thinking about your dress code. Of special note is the girls' attire. Girls may wear pants, but if you do, you MUST have a jacket to wear. Naturally a pant suit would be best as they coordinate perfectly. But if you don't have a jacket, that's okay - you just have to wear a skirt. You can wear a skirt with a sweater or blouse. So - to sum up....Jacket and Pants OR Skirt and sweater/blouse.

For the gents - dress pants and a button dress shirt with a tie would be most appropriate. If you have a suit or a jacket, by all means wear it. Regardless - you must have a tie.



(Thought I'd put a cool pic of your vice president!)

Speaking of cool, don't forget that there are very cool contests! You can win money towards your national trip. Design the state pin, write an essay, or design the cover of the program booklet for states. More information can be found by going to the Massachusetts BPA site. You'll see a box in the middle of the page that will give you more information. Check it out!

Any whoooooo - get going on your projects, be thinking about the money oh and your roommates! Remember - 4 people to a room. I'll be asking for room assignments Monday. We have four girls' rooms and three boys' rooms. (and one Advisor room! I'm almost afraid to room with KP after Reno, but I'll give it another whirl.)

Skirt or no skirt? That is the question.

I pose this question because if you are a BPA member or if you have been in the past, you know my position with regard to the female students wearing skirts. (Sorry guys, you're not included in this post.)

I maintain my position when it comes to being dressed professionally, especially for judged events. You can never have another chance to make a first impression. When young people take the time to look as professional as they can, the judges can sometimes overlook small imperfections in the presentation itself. But when a teen enters a judged event looking mediocre (just like everyone else) you've done nothing to set yourself apart.

I've said this before. I think of myself as your "coach". A coach is hired because of their expertise on the subject and I do consider myself pretty darn close to an expert on this subject. Players on teams listen to their coaches so they have the best chance for the big prize. Coaches also take the heat if their teams consistently lose. So my professional advice is for the girls to wear skirts and give yourself the best possible advantage over the mediocre students. Set yourselves apart and after the competition, when you go back to your room, you can dress anyway you want. Well, kind of. :)

What do you think?