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On March 23rd through March 25th, Eagan’s Business Professionals of America team competed at the state tournament in Minneapolis. 24 students attended and competed in their respective categories. 

On Thursday, March 23rd, BPA members from across Minnesota gathered for the opening ceremony where certain students received Torch awards. The Torch program awards students who gain a specific amount of points in the categories of leadership, service, cooperation, knowledge, friendship, love, hope, faith, and patriotism. Subha Ravichandran, Aishu Mankala, Atulya Reddy, Mariam Tahir, and Olivia Crutchfield were all given a Statesman Torch award.

On Friday night, after the competition had finished, BPA hosted a talent show. Eagan’s very own Atulya Reddy sang and won the award for best stage presence. Later that night, students enjoyed a hypnosis show where Subha Ravichandran, BPA state president, and Eva Erickson were hypnotized.

Eight BPA students qualified for nationals. Juniors Olivia Crutchfield, Aishu Mankala, Lauren Moy, and Atulya Reddy placed first in website design. Senior Subha Ravichandran placed third in human resource management. Seniors Amrit Sanal and Paige Moy placed third in global marketing. Finally, senior Lauren Markowski placed second in entrepreneurship.

This year, nationals will be held in Orlando, Florida from May 10th to May 13th. “I want Minnesota BPA to have a great time. I’m also really excited to celebrate my birthday at Disney and to see my friends from other schools,” explains Subha Ravichandran. Equally excited for nationals, Aishu Mankala says, “I hope to either win or be a finalist in our event.”

Congratulations to all the national qualifiers, and good luck in Orlando.