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Business students win multiple awards at state conference

group of students pose with awards
The Boise State students who attended the 2025 BPA State Leadership Conference from left to right: Eleeza Liu, Makena Chase, Allison Howard, Lilly Ferrin, Mustafa Hakeem, Yesica Venegas, Ryan Martinez, Jessica Garcia, Lucas Fleege. Not pictured: Nick Lloyd and William Bergman.

Boise State’s Business Professionals of America chapter won several awards at the 2025 BPA State Leadership Conference. Held in Boise from March 3-5, the conference invites students from four universities across Idaho to learn, network and compete. Boise State BPA Officer Allison Howard sang the National Anthem for the conference’s opening ceremony. 

The competition portion of the conference includes business-related challenges like presentations, financial management and spreadsheet applications. A total of 11 students from the College of Business and Economics took part and won 17 awards, including 11 first place awards, and all within the top four in their respective categories. All Boise State BPA members qualified for the National Leadership Conference, which will be held in Orlando, Florida, in May. 

“The chapter member’s success and performance at the state competition stands as a powerful demonstration of their dedication, resilience and competitive excellence,” said Alex Ritzman, the chapter’s advisor. “Our members continue to represent Boise State University and the College of Business and Economics with professionalism and distinction.” 

Business student results and categories

  • Makena Chase: First place in health research presentation, first place in health administration concepts 
  • William Bergman: Second place in payroll accounting
  • Lilly Ferrin: First place in human resource management, first place in contemporary issues
  • Jessica Garcia: Fourth place in personal financial management
  • Mustafa Hakeem: First place in personal financial management
  • Allison Howard: First place in advanced spreadsheet applications, first place in integrated office applications
  • Eleeza Liu: Third place in managerial accounting
  • Nick Lloyd: Second place in advanced spreadsheet applications
  • Ryan Martinez: First place in ethics and professionalism, first place in basic office systems and procedures
  • Yesica Venegas: First place in managerial accounting. second place in college accounting 
  • Lucas Fleege: First place in medical billing
  • Team event of Jessica Garcia, Mustafa Hakeem and Allison Howard: First place in financial analysis