The State Conference in Wichita on Saturday was more than competition for the Business Professionals of America. It’s as real as the business world gets.

“You definitely learn how to work with people you don’t necessarily get along with otherwise,” senior Geri Speaks said.

Twenty-two BPA members representing Manhattan High took part in their annual state competition that tested their business sense in competitions ranging from entrepreneurship and finances to their skills in problem solving and communications. As they present their topics, they also handle the responsibility of using correct etiquette and appropriate dress that’s expected in the business world.

Junior Sakif Hossain, presenting to judges a sneaker reselling company that earned him first in the state for Entrepreneurship, recalled his feelings about competing compared to the previous year’s conference.

“It’s kind of like Shark Tank, so you have to get them to want to invest in it,” Hossain said. “I was pretty nervous at first. But once I was in it, I was pretty comfortable and I knew I did a good job.”

Over the past two months, students prepared presentations and studied materials across several subjects of business, online systems or how to act during interviews. They gathered their resources and went into the conference either to test their knowledge in different subjects or present to a panel of judges. In the Advanced Interview Skills session, senior Adam Hupp created a company that he had to apply and submit a resume to, earning him third place.

“I wanted to make sure I made the most of my preparation,” Hupp said. “I spent a lot of time preparing so I could really make sure I performed well when my time came.”

Fourteen students qualified for this May’s National Leadership Conference in Anaheim. BPA sponsor Paige McCarthy saw the results of the conference as a collective effort from both the students and the faculty of the business department with the students able to strive and compete for MHS.

“They had to get out of their comfort zone,” McCarthy said. “They had to be able to put in that extra work for a fun club. It’s always nice to see the kids dressed nicely and being able to see them accomplishing the roles of adults.”