For the first time ever, Chesterton High School qualified at the district event in January to take a financial analyst team of four senior boys to the state contest for Business Professionals of America, March 8-10 in Indianapolis. Winning first place at the state contest was the team of Tommy Peller, Glenn Peterson, George Sanidas and John Thanos.

Senior Joshua Kalita won a first place award in the payroll accounting event, senior Allison Potts won second in computerized accounting and junior Kaci Watson won third in that same event.

Senior Nick Politano won sixth place in the database event. Nick also took home medals for the open events administrative support concepts and information technology concepts. Senior Glenn Peterson won a fifth place award in advanced accounting and earned a medal in the open financial math and analysis contest.

Senior Aris Ringas won a medal in the parliamentary procedures open contest. Senior Kelsey Phillips took home a second place award in the interview skills contest event.

Torch Awards were presented to seniors Andrea Fadel and Geoff Schoeneck. These are given to students acquiring service points for leadership, citizenship, and activities that either promote business or serve and help others.

There were 26 CHS students who participated in this three-day statewide event that involved nearly 2000 high school students. Other students competing included: Erika and Max Carstens, Erin DeVaney, Olivia Gordon, Alex Hartney, Joshua Landree, Marielle Matuszak, Brittany Nay, Nathaniel Oddi, Britta Ringas, Maggie Rivera, Shelbie Sullivan, Haley Virden, and Mallory Yzaguirre.

All students at CHS are invited to join the BPA organization at the school in the fall. Rebecca Gierke is the BPA advisor.

Posted 3/16/2009