Members of Business Professionals of America at the Wayne County Schools Career Center installed new officers recently during an installation and new member initiation ceremony. The students are from business and marketing technologies, medical office management, and interactive media, with instructors Theresa Chmura, Janice Anderson, and Chris Boyan, respectively.

President-elect Olivia McMorrow of Wooster brought the meeting to order. Harry Dudley of Smithville and Kelsey Grifo of Wooster led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance and the BPA pledge.

Retired business instructor and placement coordinator Kathie Kister installed the new officers: presidents, McMorrow and Marissa Dixon of Wooster; vice presidents, Dudley and Grifo; secretaries, Shelby Cutright of Northwest (Stark) and Hannah Ottey of Chippewa; treasurers, Samantha Shockley and Kendra Young, both of Northwestern; parliamentarian, Shalie Winters of Northwestern; historian, Tia Fry of Waynedale; and marketing director, Jade Eash of Orrville.

Kister addressed the students and challenged them to take the BPA pledge seriously. They pledged to “prepare for careers in a world-class workforce,” “work together to develop professionalism and leadership,” and “pledge our loyalty to our nation.”

“Think about what it means to develop skills, display professionalism, and become leaders,” she said. “Keep the pledge in mind as you go about your daily activities.” Being a member of BPA offers leadership opportunities, competitions, community service projects, and other activities that look good on a resume, she told them.

Kister told the students stories about high school students she had spoken with who have no idea what they will do after graduation. “I am so proud of you,” she said. “You have put a lot of thought into how best to use your last two years (of high school). You looked beyond the moment and into the future.”

“You have made the decision to come to the career center so that you can learn and practice the skills that will help you reach your goals.” Whether the students choose to attend college, go right to work, or do both, the skills they learn at the career center will help them reach their goals, she said. They may even find an employer who will pay their college tuition.

“Your attitude can determine your success,” Kister continued. “Your skills will obviously help you get a job and be successful on that job. But so will your attitude.”

A former medical assisting student took a perfect resume to all medical offices near where she lived, wearing a professional outfit. On her way to her car, she met a man in a suit and chatted with him. “He told her on the spot that he would call her within the week to schedule an interview,” Kister said, based on her professionalism. She got the job by impressing the man with her positive attitude.

An out-of-work teacher decided to substitute at a school until she could find a full-time teaching position. One day in the staff lounge, she ate lunch with a woman she didn’t know. The lady said she worked in the front office. Because of the teacher’s positive attitude and lack of complaining about the school, students, or staff, that teacher was soon offered a full-time position by the lady in the lunch room, who turned out to be the superintendent.

“Always be aware that your words and actions will demonstrate your attitude,” Kister told the students.

A student from culinary arts applied for a job as a dishwasher in a local business, but during the interview, the hiring manager noticed that he had studied culinary arts at the career center. He was hired as the dishwasher, but was soon promoted to the catering team. He even helped a friend get his old job as the dishwasher.

“Take advantage of all the opportunities you are offered here,” Kister said.

A reception planned by the students followed the ceremony.