2025-26
STATE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

-March 16, 2026-

This past weekend, our members traveled to the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to compete at the State Leadership Conference (SLC). Throughout the weekend, we had many great opportunities to bond as a chapter—from Thursday night dinner at the B.O.B., to froyo runs, YMCA activities, and time spent together in our hotel rooms.

Our chapter had an incredibly successful conference. Our very own Colton Riggenbach was awarded a $1,000 scholarship from Michigan BPA, and Audrey Kuehn made history by becoming the first Niles BPA State Executive Council member, serving as Parliamentarian. Our chapter also earned first place in the Habitat for Humanity Gingerbread House Building Competition.

Overall, our chapter truly proved itself at SLC this year, and the success doesn’t stop there. Eighteen of our members are advancing to the National Leadership Conference in Nashville, where they will compete on the national stage. We are incredibly proud of their hard work and dedication to their events. Their efforts have truly paid off.

State Leadership Conference National Qualifiers:

Team Events

Broadcast News Production Team (3rd) – Alexis Kidwell, Beau Kirtdoll, Liam Pesce, Trenton Scott

Podcast Production Team (1st) – Ben Bruckner, Bradley Archer, Isabella Burnett, Natalie Borst

Small Business Management Team (2nd) – Liam Beckman, Mowitt Drew, Taym Jaber

Video Production Team (2nd) – Amity Riggenbach, Colton Riggenbach, Lyla Holtgren, McKenna Albright

Individual Events

Advanced Desktop Publishing (5th) – Oscar Vargas

Economic Research Individual (2nd) – Colton Riggenbach

Fundamental Desktop Publishing (5th) – Ostin Vargas

Payroll Accounting (5th) – Audrey Kuehn

Torch Awards