Send Menominee BPA to Nationals

Menominee High School chapter of Business Professionals of America Coleton Kotecki 2017 & 2018 Regional Champion 2017 & 2018 State Finalist 2018 National Qualifier -Extemporaneos Speech- To whom it may concern, My name is Coleton Kotecki and I am the president of the Menominee High School chapter of Business Professionals of America. In addition to being BPA President, I am also Menominee’s sole national qualifier this year. It is a great honor to be only Menominee’s 2nd National Qualifier in the past 6 years. I qualified for the National Leadership Conference (NLC) by placing 3rd in Extemporaneous Speech at the Michigan State Leadership Conference (SLC) in Grand Rapids this March. The reason I am contacting you today is because the NLC is not only a great honor to be part of, it is also quite expensive. It is estimated that it will cost roughly $1300 each for myself and my advisor to attend. I am asking local businesses and individuals to make an investment in our community by helping me to represent Menominee, the U.P., & the state of Michigan this May in Dallas, Texas. While participating in this event, I plan on expanding my leadership skills, mastering my speaking skills, and developing relationships with new people. I plan to take what I learn from the NLC with me to Michigan Technological University this fall, where I plan to major in marketing at their School or Business & Economics. What is Business Professionals of America? Business Professionals of America is a national career and technical student organization consisting of 25 state associations and more than 50,000 members from over 2,700 chapters. The organization serves students who are currently, or were previously enrolled, in a business education program at a secondary or postsecondary institution. Chapters are located in high schools, career/technical centers, postsecondary technical institutions, junior and community colleges, and colleges and universities. BPA was founded nationally in 1966. Michigan has had BPA since 1972. Michigan is home to 10 regions, 4600 members, & approximately 170 local chapters. (From Michigan BPA Website) What is Extemporaneous Speech? Business Professionals of America’s “Extemp” category is very similar to impromptu speaking. Here’s how it works; First I go to my prep room. I have 8 cards lying face down with business related topics on the other side. I choose two of them, not knowing what the topics are. Once I see the topics I have to choose one of the two to give my speech on. I am then provided three (3x5) index cards. I am not allowed to use any references besides my brain. I have 10 minutes to prepare my speech. Once my times is up I must deliver a 2-4 minute speech relating to my topic to a panel of 2-3 judges. Who advances? Regional Leadership Conference (Bay College, Escanaba). Top 4 at this event move on to states. Roughly 25 competitors compete at this level. I have placed 1st in 2018, 1st in 2017, & 3rd in 2016 here. State Leadership Conference (Amway Grand Hotel, Grand Rapids). Top 3 at this event move on to nationals. 40 competitors compete at this level. I have placed 3rd in 2018, 4th in 2017, & 9th in 2016. National Leadership Conference (Luxury Grapevine Texan Resort, Dallas) I will be competing against 77 other competitors from 25 states and Puerto Rico. The top 10 finalists here will be recognized on stage. The NLC is May 8th-13th, 2018. If you are able to help Menominee BPA send me to nationals please contact; Coleton Kotecki - (715)-923-6778 or [email redacted] Or Mary Fay Daigneau - (906)-863-7814 or [email redacted] BPA Advisor Every Penny Helps!