Lead Where You Are: Pawnee High School Welcomes Oklahoma BPA State President to Leadership Day!

The Oklahoma BPA chapter at Pawnee High School recently hosted a Leadership Development Day designed to inspire students to grow as leaders, strengthen their chapter, and discover the many opportunities available through Business Professionals of America.

The event featured Oklahoma BPA State President Braxton Runyan, who visited with chapter members to share his personal BPA journey and encourage students to take full advantage of everything the organization has to offer. Joining him was nationally recognized parliamentarian and retired BPA advisor Athena Frank, who led an engaging workshop focused on leadership development and effective meeting skills.

Throughout the day, students explored what it truly means to "Lead Where You Are" by recognizing that leadership isn't defined by a title, but by the choices we make each day to serve others, step outside our comfort zones, and make a positive impact. Through interactive activities, discussions, and hands-on learning, students discovered practical ways to strengthen their communication skills, build confidence, and become more engaged within their chapter.

Mrs. Frank challenged members to elevate their leadership by learning the fundamentals of productive meetings, parliamentary procedure, and respectful collaboration. Through mock meetings, team activities, and real-world scenarios, students practiced communication, teamwork, and decision-making, while gaining valuable skills they can immediately apply within their own chapter.

For Braxton, the visit was a reminder of why serving as Oklahoma BPA State President is so meaningful.

"One of the most rewarding parts of serving as Oklahoma BPA State President is visiting chapters across the state, hearing their stories, and seeing firsthand the dedication and enthusiasm our members have for BPA."

Braxton shared his own experiences as a BPA member, explaining how the organization helped him become a stronger leader, build lifelong friendships, and develop skills that will benefit him far beyond high school. He encouraged students to embrace every opportunity BPA offers, whether that's competing in events, attending conferences, serving in leadership roles, or simply taking the first step outside of their comfort zone.

"I was inspired by the energy and engagement of the Pawnee chapter and enjoyed getting to know its members. I can't wait to see all that this chapter accomplishes throughout the year, and I look forward to seeing everyone at our upcoming BPA events."

Oklahoma BPA extends its sincere appreciation to the students, advisors, and administration at Pawnee High School for their warm hospitality and enthusiasm throughout the day. Their commitment to leadership, learning, and involvement is exactly what makes BPA such a life-changing organization.

Interested in Hosting an Oklahoma BPA Chapter Visit?

One of the goals of the Oklahoma BPA State Officer Team is to connect with local chapters across the state by sharing leadership experiences, promoting the opportunities available through BPA, and inspiring members to become active leaders within their schools and communities.

If your chapter would like to host a visit from an Oklahoma BPA State Officer, we'd love to connect with you. Together, we can continue building leaders, strengthening chapters, and helping every member discover the opportunities that BPA has to offer. To request a visit complete our form at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FX5QMB7.