Career & Technical Student Organization (CTSO)
Upcoming Event Schedule
TSA State Conference: March 28 - 29
SkillsUSA State Conference: April 10 - 14
FFA State Conference: March 30 - April 2
HOSA State Conference: April 5 - 6
Montana Teachers: Summer Externship Opportunity
SkillsUSA Prepares for State Conference
SkillsUSA is headed to the first in-person State Leadership & Skills Conference since 2019. Over 300 students and advisors will arrive in Helena on Thursday, April 7th for this three-day event.
Most of the contests will be held at Helena College except the Carpentry contest held at the Montana Carpenters Apprenticeship Training Center and the Cabinet Making contest held at Helena High School.
One of the most exciting things about this event and what’s happening with SkillsUSA Montana is the increase of participation from business and industry. With the skilled trades suffering from a massive workforce shortage, SkillsUSA is offering solutions. In developing a quality workforce for tomorrow, it is crucial for the building of strong partnerships between the education and industry sector all across the skilled trades arena. To that end, SkillsUSA Montana is thrilled to work with reputable organizations such as the Montana Automobile Dealership Association, RDO Equipment, Dick Anderson Construction, Boeing, the Montana Chamber of Commerce, Modern Machinery, Tractor and Equipment, the Montana Contractors Association, the Montana Carpenters Apprenticeship Center, Pacific Steel, King Machine, and more.
During the state conference, SkillsUSA students will build six projects. Two picnic tables, two cornhole games, and two ladder ball games will be built by student members and donated to Youth Dynamics.
SkillsUSA Montana is also excited to welcome new chapters and advisors to the state association this year. East Helena High School will host the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the state conference and bring an excellent CTE program to SkillsUSA. Joining the Vigilantes will be Lockwood High School, Laurel High School, Billings West High School, Savage High School, and Darby High School.
If you’re interested in learning more about the State Leadership & Skills Conference, or anything regarding SkillsUSA, please contact Mary Heller at mary.heller@skillsusamontana.org or call 406-399-0640.
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Montana BPA 2022 State Leadership Conference
The 2022 Montana BPA State Leadership Conference was held in Billings on March 12-15, 2022. One thousand and one hundred and sixty-five students and local chapter advisors from the middle level and secondary level attended in a spirit of friendship and goodwill. BPA Montana Association assisted the members through participation in the areas of competitive events, leadership, community development, and professionalism.
Students from 90 Montana schools demonstrated their knowledge in business and technological skills and abilities in 88 different competitive events from within the five core assessment areas of Finance, Business Administration, Management Information Systems, Digital Communication & Design, Management, Marketing & Communication and Health Administration.
Local chapters donated $13,701.00 to Special Olympics Montana as their state-wide philanthropic organization. Colstrip High School, St Regis High School, and Shields Valley High School were recognized for their donation as the top three schools. BPA Montana also held a Special Olympics Walk during the conference that raised a total of $1,630 for Special Olympics Montana.
Community members and Montana businesses also played a tremendous role in the success of the state conference by serving as judges for the competitive events and presenters of workshops. In addition, Montana BPA has received more than $23,000.00 in financial support and/or in-kind support for Montana business and education institutions as part of the corporate sponsor and education partnership program.
In non-event awards, Montana BPA awarded Silver Star Awards for Chapter Development to the Capital High School, Colstrip High School, Flathead High School, Glasgow High School, Great Falls High School, Helena High School, Shelby High School, Simms High School, Skyview High School, and Twin Bridges High School.
On behalf of the Buchanan Family Foundation, the MDU Foundation, and the Montana Business Education Association. This year’s BPA Scholarship Recipients are: with plans to attend MSU Bozeman and study Animal Science and Agriculture Education, the recipient of the MBEA $250 Scholarship….from Roundup High School, Mackenzie Serrano. MDU Foundation is pleased to sponsor a $500 scholarship to Makayla Lynnell Kombol from Melstone High School. Makayla’s future plan is to pursue a degree in Healthcare. Three BPA seniors were recipients of $1000 scholarships sponsored by the Buchanan Family Foundation: from Roundup High School with plans to pursue a degree in Accounting, Cate Cota. Looking forward to a career as a radiological technician, from Simms High School Lilly Larson Woodhouse. And our final 2022 BPA Scholarship recipient with plans to attend the University of Montana and major in Occupational Therapy from Garfield County High School, Lacey Lawrence.
Fifty members were recognized for their Statesman Torch Award. Kaden Hansen, Bainville High School; Lakyn Rabbe, Bainville High School; Logan Ullmer, Bainville High School; Wyatt Iverson, Bainville High School; Sophie Smith, Billings West; Kayleigh Opstedahl, Broadus Middle School; Paige LePard, C. M. Russell High School; Hannah Bingham. C. M. Russell High School; Ellie Ward, Cascade High School; Harlie Jackson, Cascade High School; Laura Stieber, Custer; Caiden Sekuterski, Cascade High School; Taylor Smallwood, Colstrip HS; TerronTorix, Colstrip HS; Andrew Jackson, Forsyth High School; Abigail Strandlund, Froid Public School; Brett Stentoft, Froid Public School; Bode Miller, Froid Public School; Javonne Nesbit, Froid Public School; Kate Parks, Glasgow High School; Blaire Westby, Glasgow High School; Tanner White, Glasgow High School; Mitchel Winchester, Glasgow High School; Colton Spicher, Great Falls High School; Treyson Tuss, Great Falls High School; Melina Laplante, Hellgate High School; Olivia Collins, Joliet High School; Emelia Wood, Joliet High School; Rockwood Frank, Joliet High School; Norman Wooten, Joliet High School; Sage Franzel, Melstone High School; Kelsey Thurston, Melstone High School; Cassiday Fletcher, Park High School; McKenzy Norquist, Park High School; Emma Warhank, Park High School; MaKayla Pratt, Roberts High School; Jermaine Kuntz, Roberts High School; Ben Kosel, Roberts High School; Lukas Kosel, Roberts High School; Mackenzie Serrano, Roundup High School; Cate Cota, Roundup High School; Elizabeth Donahue, Roundup High School; Emily Coles, Roundup High School; Kierah Kriedeman, Simms High School; Kodiann Lynn Simms High School; Taylee Sawyer, Simms High School; Lilly Woodhouse, Simms High School; Madisen Carter, Skyview High School; Baylee Pruitt, St. Regis HS; Laynee Elness, Winifred High School
Twenty-seven BPA students were recognized Member Recruiter Recipients 2022: Melina LaPlante, Hellgate High School; Hannah Wyman, Great Falls High School; Carrie Taylor, Opheim High School; Meagan Jacka, Opheim High School; Kaleb Hammler, Skyview High School; Madisen Carter, Skyview High School; Taylor Smallwood, Colstrip High School; Abi Grotbo, Capital High School; Ryleigh Bushnell, Capital High School; Tucker Zanto, Capital High School; Jack Drynan, Capital High School; Ryan Fuller, Capital High School; Kyler Smith, Helena High School; Ashlee Fraker, Forsyth High School; Baylee Pruitt, St. Regis High School; Kate Parks, Glasgow High School; Jane Jencso, Washington Middle School
Amelia Adams, Washington Middle School; Rockwood Frank, Joliet High School; Norman Wootton, Joliet High School; Breanna Blain, Joliet High School; Olivia Collins, Joliet High School; Cloey Jennison, Joliet High School; Carson May, Joliet High School; Ethan Boone, Joliet High School; Cloee Blain, Joliet High School; Keith Frank, Joliet High School.
Lilly Woodhouse from Simms High School was recognized as the MT BPA Student of the Year and Jill Page of Glasgow was recognized as the Advisor of the Year. They will now compete for the National BPA Student and Advisor of the Year. Simms High School was recognized with the Spirit of Professionalism Award for all their outstanding contributions to BPA this year.
During the state conference the following members were elected to office for the 2022-23 school year:
- President: Emily Coles, Roundup High School
- Vice President: Melina LaPlante Hellgate High School
- Secretary: Colton Spicher, Great Falls High School
- Membership Director, Treyson Tuss, Great Falls High School
- Public Relations Director, Sophie Smith, Billings West High School
BPA Montana students will now have the opportunity to travel to Dallas, Texas to compete for the 2022 BPA National Leadership Conference which will be held May 4-8, 2022. Business Professionals of America is the leading CTSO (Career Technical Student Organization) for students pursuing careers in business management, finance, office administration, information technology, health administration, and other related career fields.
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East Helena High Welding Students Building
Pavilion for Camp Rimini
East Helena High School’s welding students are hard at work this week building a steel pavilion that will house an exhibit by the Montana Military Museum at historic Camp Rimini.
Camp Rimini was established in 1936 and used as a training site for US military “war dogs” from 1942-1945. Museum Director Raymond Read said the project is largely a way to honor the late David Armstrong Jr., a former US Army sled dog trainer and co-founder of Race to the Sky.
Armstrong died in April 2021 at the age of 100. Read said the museum has been working with Armstrong’s family to put something at the Camp Rimini site that would make Armstrong proud.
“He wanted to recognize that site,” Read said. “It’s just a parking lot right now, so we wanted to put something up there that would have information about what the site was all about.”
Casey Harris, East Helena High’s welding teacher since the school’s inception, said his father is part of the Honor Guard in Helena, which is affiliated with the Montana Military Museum. This is how the class became aware of the Camp Rimini project.
Missoula Robotics Team Hosts Reveal Event
Founded in 2009 the Missoula Robotics Team (MRT) is a collective group that draws students from all three Public High Schools in Missoula (Big Sky, Hellgate, and Sentinel). For the past five years, the team has consistently been made up of around 30 students that range from Freshman to Seniors in High School. Along with this the team also includes 12 mentors, three of which are School District Employees and the other nine are local community members.
MRT has a wide variety of students and mentors that join together to not only build a robot but establish leadership, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Every type of person is welcomed and appreciated by us, from programmers to engineers to business leaders. Currently, the team is looking to expand its mentor base to have a stronger business group. We will take anyone that is interested in learning or contributing to our team in any way.
Building a robot is a complex challenge so when the design and build project begins in January, all hands are on deck to conceptualize and fabricate the robot and other necessities for the game. The students bond over the hundreds of hours spent in and outside of the shop. While we get to create a robot, we also make friendships that will last long past high school. Robotics allows students to learn how to work together to overcome obstacles, to express ideas, and provide positive criticism of others’ ideas. These skills combined with hands-on experience in mechanics, electrical working, and metalwork provide students with technical skills that will serve them well in their futures.
Along with building robots, MRT takes pride in community outreach. Last year the team members presented to several businesses in the community and toured manufacturing facilities of all types. We value community service, outreach, and It is important to the team to get the word out about robotics within our community.
Laurel Culinary Students Excel
Outside the Classroom
A message from Lisa Terry - Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher at Laurel High School, Montana...
- Zoee Tripp took my La Cuisine class last year. We do the Food Truck unit and their food truck is their final in the class. Zoee took her business plan and ideas she had developed in class to the Yellowstone County sanitarian and got her food license. With the help of her parents, she purchased a food truck and started her own business last summer. She has been selling at events locally and in the Billings area. She is 16.
- Brianna Linday is a current ProStart member and she has started her own cupcake business. She was also in the La Cuisine class where we did the Food Truck unit. She has done weddings, baby showers, and other events as word gets out about her business. Her cupcakes and desserts are amazing. She brought me and the other teachers miniature cupcakes yesterday for Valentines. I had the heath bar one - simply delicious. She is 16. She is also currently working on our dessert for the ProStart competition. We are having struggles with one working without the use of electricity, but she is still encouraged.
Both girls excel in all their classes but have taken a particular interest in food related classes. So proud of them.
 
Great Opportunity for Students to Win Cash While Testing Personal Finance & Econ Skills
The Montana Council on Economic Education (MCEE) is pleased to announce they will host the Montana Economics Challenge 2022 and the Personal Finance Challenge 2022.
To inspire more participation and remove any financial or travel barriers, both programs will be made available at no charge to schools and available completely online.
With the help of sponsors, the software fees are covered and MCEE will award $500 to all the first place teams, $250 to second place, and $100 to first place. There will be two divisions for the Economics Challenge.
In economics we love incentives. The top performers in Montana have opportunities to compete at regional and national levels, including possible all expenses paid travel to New York City of the national Economics Challenge.
Registration is open now and all testing will need to be completed by April 8, 2022, to determine the Montana winners. Once teachers are registered, they will have access to practice exams and additional preparation resources.
Visit the Montana Economics Challenge 2022 and the Personal Finance Challenge 2022 pages for other details.
Thank you for the competition sponsors First Interstate Bank, BNSF, and the Montana Financial Education Coalition.
For questions, please contact Dax Schieffer at mcee@montana.edu.
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MCEE Partners to Offer Economic Empowerment Online Curriculum & Training for Teachers
Improve in the classroom while earning renewal unit hours with an online professional development opportunity in economics, personal finance, and entrepreneurship.
In partnership with the Virginia Council on Economic Education and their center at Virginia Tech, the Montana Council on Economic Education (MCEE) has partnered to offer a 15-hour Economic Empowerment online curriculum and training that will qualify teachers for renewal unit credits upon completion of the course.
In addition, MCEE will cover half the cost with a $60 scholarship for the first 25 Montana educators to sign up.
This is for grades 4-12 with limited to no background in economics, personal finance, and entrepreneurship as it covers basic content. MCEE hopes to reach younger educators who are adjusting to the new state standards in Career & Technical Education and Social Studies.
MCEE will host a more advanced, in-person professional development seminar at Montana State University in July (details to be announced soon).
Register for the Economic Empowerment online curriculum and training before April 1, 2022. See more details in this flyer.
Click here to go directly to the training registration. For payment, don't forget to type: "MCEE $60 Scholarship" to qualify for a discounted rate.
Questions/Suggestions? Please contact Dax Schieffer, MCEE Executive Director, at mcee@montana.edu.
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Summer 2022 Computer Science Professional Development for Montana's K12 Teachers
The Montana State University, Montana Tech, Salish Kootenai College, and the University of Montana have teamed up again to provide a series of computer science professional development opportunities for Montana K-12 teachers during Summer 2022.
The plan is to offer four unique professional development opportunities in the Joy and Beauty of Computing (JBC), Mobile CSP, Python Modules, Game Programming, and/or the Joy and Beauty of Data (JBD) during the summer of 2022. All classes are geared towards Montana high school and middle school teachers who would like to offer these courses in their local schools.
Python Modules: June 13-17, 2022; in-person only
Learn how to integrate modules that emphasize Python programming and computational thinking into high school science and math classes. Modules are fully developed and ready to go. They vary in length and difficulty. Opportunities to develop custom modules for your own classes will be provided and supported.
Joy and Beauty of Computing (JBC): June 13-17, 2022; in-person only
JBC (Joy and Beauty of Computing) offers students an overview of the world of computing, as well as a gentle introduction to computational thinking using the Python programming language. It examines the computing field and how it impacts the human condition and introduces exciting ideas and influential people.
Game Programming: Self-paced, Online
Game programming using Unity
Mobile CSP: Summer 2022, Online Mobile CSP is based on the College Board's emerging Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science Principles curriculum framework for introductory computer science. Students will learn computer science by building socially useful mobile apps. In addition to programming and computer science principles, the course is project-based and emphasizes writing, communication, collaboration, and creativity. Details about the course curriculum can be found at mobilecsp.org.
Visit the UM’s Montana Teachers Summer 2022 PD page for more details and to register to participate. Montana K-12 teachers will be eligible to receive OPI Renewal Units for each course completed.
The OPI is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation, require an alternate format, or have questions concerning accessibility, contact the OPI ADA Coordinator, 406-444-3161, opiada@mt.gov, Relay Service: 711.
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