OSTC Southeast Students Earn National Recognition at BPA Leadership Conference

Students from Oakland Schools Technical Campus Southeast earned multiple national honors at the 2026 Business Professionals of America National Leadership Conference, placing the campus among the top-performing BPA chapters in the country.

The conference, held in Nashville, Tennessee, brought together thousands of students from across the United States to compete in business, information technology, and leadership events. Students qualified for the national competition after advancing through regional and state-level contests.

OSTC Southeast distinguished itself on the national stage by having four students advance to finalist status, placing the chapter among the top 15% of all secondary BPA chapters. Among 303 secondary chapters that earned at least one top-10 finish, OSTC Southeast ranked 44th overall in the country based on competitive performance.

A particularly notable accomplishment came in the Computer Security event, where OSTC Southeast was one of only seven chapters nationwide to have two students place in the top three of the same competition.

Students recognized during the national awards ceremony included:

• Sion Dawson, who earned seventh place out of 57 competitors in Java Programming.

• Jesse Perreca, who earned sixth place out of 43 competitors in Server Administration Using Microsoft.

• Tristan Madarang, who earned second place out of 61 competitors in Computer Security.

• Ethan Hanmer, who earned third place out of 61 competitors in Computer Security.

In addition, Owen Church represented OSTC Southeast in Python Programming, gaining valuable experience competing against some of the nation’s top students in the field.

Beyond competition, students participated in leadership development workshops, explored college and career opportunities, pursued industry certifications, and connected with peers from across the country. The experience provided real-world learning opportunities that reinforced classroom instruction while preparing students for future careers in technology and business.

The national results capped off another successful year for OSTC Southeast's BPA chapter, with students earning recognition in some of the conference's most competitive technology events. Their accomplishments demonstrate the advanced technical skills, preparation, and determination required to compete among the nation's best.