Michigan is proud to announce that there were 132 students who were recognized with their Diplomat Torch Award and 130 students received their Statesman award.

The foundation of the Torch Awards Program comes from the Business Professionals of America Torch Ceremony. Nine symbolic torches are represented through seven categories of activities. The program was created to motivate BPA members to promote member participation at the local, regional, state and national levels, to accomplish the goals and objectives of Business Professionals of America, to develop people skills through personal growth and accomplishments, and to recognize members who demonstrate exceptional membership and professionalism.

To qualify for a Torch Award, a member must first be enrolled in a secondary, associate, or postsecondary initial, refresher, or upgrading business, career/technical, and career or related education programs. Second, the student must be a member of a secondary, associate, middle school or postsecondary chapter of Business Professionals of America.

A torch award applicant may receive acknowledgment in the Torch Awards Program by obtaining a specified amount of points in each of the seven categories at each level. The program has four levels and begins with the executive (local) level 10 points, diplomat (regional) level 30 points, statesman (state) level 50 points, and ambassador (national) level 70 points.

The Torch Awards Program is divided into the seven categories of: Leadership, Service, Cooperation, Knowledge, Friendship, Love/Hope/Faith, and Patriotism. The activities available for points for each category can be found and explained in the Special Recognition/Torch Awards Handbook available on the web at www.bpanet.org.

By participating in the Torch Awards Program, students are encouraged to participate in community service, school activities, make professional/computer/software presentations, promote, and to get the most they can from membership. If a student earns enough points in each category for an award they are then eligible to proceed to the state or national conferences. This program is a wonderful experience for students to be a part of. It gives members another chance to succeed and earn an award through the nine torches instead of competition. The Torch Awards are a great experience and I would encourage every member to participate and make the most of their membership with the Michigan Association of Business Professionals of America.

Ambassador award recipients will be recognized at the 2008 National Leadership Conference in Reno, Nevada.

Congratulations to all Torch Award recipients!

Samantha Swarts
2007-2008 State Secretary/Treasurer

 

Visit each month for a new feature from a current state officer.