Richmond High students return from BPA nationals with top finishes

Richmond Community Schools trustees on May 28 recognized students from Richmond High School who competed at the national Business Professionals of America (BPA) competition and other career-technical contests.

The board meeting honored 21 students who traveled to nationals, several of whom placed in their events. "We did user experience design … we got fifth in the nation," said Lucy Kalish, a Richmond High student who spoke to the board. Student Yuvraj Japati said he "placed first place" in medical coding, and Kush Patel said his team placed third in a virtual event. Other students reported finishes including eighth in entrepreneurship, ninth in video production, and first place national finishes in device/website fundamentals and other categories.

The district's director of student support services and communications, Bridgette Hazel Baker, introduced the honorees and noted the program's growth. Students said fundraising and donations — including a pizza fundraiser — helped cover travel costs. "We did a variety of fundraisings, but the students are responsible for coming up with [funds] and we have quite a few donations this year as well," Hazel Baker said.

Superintendent Dr. Gerald Wright praised the students and families, calling the program's growth "remarkable" and noting the district's pride in students' accomplishments. Several students described how BPA and related career-technical coursework fostered skills and post‑high‑school plans; one senior, Logan Priest, said he will attend Indiana University Bloomington to study finance and data analytics.

The board acknowledged the students and staff with a group photograph at the meeting.

The board did not take action on the presentation; the segment was a recognition and celebration of student achievement.