By Mr. Luke McKinley
During March 11th-13th, 2023 students of the Simms High School BPA (Business
Professionals of America) chapter competed with 1,216 students from across the state in a
variety of events in Billings. The chapter received an award for their Biz Bowl Championship
Award at Fall Leadership Conference Other awards won were the best entrepreneurial idea in
Shark Tank by Carsten Brooks, and the Silver Star Award for a chapter in good
standing. Hudson Rohrer was awarded a state office as the State Communications
Director. Kodiann Lynn was awarded a $1000.00 scholarship for her involvement in BPA to be
used at the college of her choosing. Lastly, 4 students earned their Statesman Torch Awards:
Jackson Schubarth, Hudson Rohrer, Kodiann Lynn and Laura Zietzke.
Those who excelled in the competition now have the opportunity to compete at the national
level in Anaheim, California in April. The Simms High School and Middle School are sending
18 students. The qualifying placings are as follows:
High School:
William Mishler – Administrative Support Research Project ( 4th )
Kylie Harrison – Computer Network Technology ( 6th) Network Design Team ( 1st )
Lexi Mital – Digital Media Production ( 3rd )
Jackson Schubarth – Economic Research Individual ( 1st )
Alex Baranko – Economic Research Team ( 3rd ) Broadcast Production Team ( 2nd )
Nina Okes – Economic Research Team ( 3rd ) Broadcast Production Team ( 2nd )
Austin Naude – Network Design Team ( 1st )
Hudson Rohrer – Network Design Team ( 1st )
Laura Zietzke – Network Design Team ( 1st )
Ezra Leach – User Experience Design Team ( 1st )
Kodiann Lynn – User Experience Design Team ( 1st )
Carsten Brooks – Python Programming ( 5th ) User Experience Design Team ( 1st ) Broadcast
Production Team ( 2nd )
Marshall Kunkel – Broadcast Production Team ( 2nd )
Middle School:
Brayden Hammond – Entrepreneurship Exploration ( 1st )
Casey Gorence – Extemporaneous Speech ( 2nd )
Ella Fryberger – Presentation Team ( 1st ) Website Design Team ( 1st )
Grace Standley – Presentation Team ( 1st ) Website Design Team ( 1st )
Gracie Zbinden – Presentation Team ( 1st ) Website Design Team ( 1st )
All of these contestants will be putting their best foot forward and traveling to California in late
April! Wish them the best of luck! This trip is very costly, if you are interested in sponsoring
the Simms BPA chapter, please email Jennifer Rohrer, jrohrer@srvs.k12.mt.us or call her at
264-5110 #109. Thank you for your continued support.