In its rookie year, Butler Business Professionals Club earns national title

By Anna Hughes

At the start of the 2024-25 school year, math teacher Ken Shum introduced Business Professionals of America (BPA) to Butler Junior High in Oak Brook. Inspired by his own experience with the organization as a student at Hinsdale Central High School, Shum pitched the idea to the school board to offer students meaningful opportunities in professional, civic, service, and social engagement.

Just nine months later, Butler’s newly formed BPA chapter had exceeded all expectations. After qualifying at the state level, nine students traveled to Orlando to compete in the National Leadership Conference, competing against top students from 20 states, Puerto Rico, China, and independent chapters from around the world. They returned home with a first-place title in the Virtual Multimedia and Promotion team event, as well as top-ten finishes in four other categories.

Students from Butler Junior High at the National Leadership Conference showcase in Orlando.

In their first year, Butler students had established themselves as a leading team among thousands of junior high competitors nationwide.

“The first year of most programs is really about building a foundation that you can grow on,” Butler Principal John Hamilton said. “In one year, the collaboration between Ken and these kids didn’t build the foundation. They built a whole skyscraper.”

BPA offers students a chance to explore real-world skills through competitive events in a variety of categories. These competitions emphasize the organization’s goals of self-improvement, leadership development, professionalism, community service, career development, public relations, student cooperation, and safety and health.

“[I watched] the students develop from, ‘Hey, what events should I choose?’ To practice, practice [and] fine-tune things, and then the day of competition, realize ‘Wow, I’m getting a medal for this. I got a chance to go to nationals,’” Shum said. “It was just fun to be along for the ride.”

Shum and Hamilton were struck by the levels of maturity and professionalism that students showed during the entire process. Even in individually judged events, students supported one another through practice and preparation, demonstrating kindness and mutual respect throughout the process.

 “Through this program, we saw kids go from being kids
to young professionals overnight. I mean, it was incredible to see.”
– Principal John Hamilton, Butler Junior High

“One of the coolest things about teaching in junior high is that you see kids come in, they’re 11 years old, and then you see them leave as young adults over the span of three years,” Hamilton said. “Through this program, we saw kids go from being kids to young professionals overnight. I mean, it was incredible to see.”

Butler students also collaborated with Hinsdale Central BPA members, who shared their experiences with the organization, offering guidance and encouragement. This connection also provides some comfort to Butler students as they continue on to high school, knowing club members are ready and willing to welcome them with open arms.

“[Butler graduates] came to offer them advice and cheer them on and really support them,” Hamilton said. “That was a cool bridge to see being built right in front of us, seeing these kids…come back and serve as real mentors.”

Butler Junior High took home first place in the Virtual Multimedia and Promotion team event at the National Leadership Conference.

Shum and Hamilton agree that this is only the beginning of the BPA program at Butler. They are excited to watch current and future members develop into young professionals and confident leaders.

“These are real-life skills that they’ll take with them to high school, to college, and then into whatever careers they choose,” Hamilton said. “These are things they can use in any field that they go into. It’s really an incredible thing.”

To learn more about Business Professionals of America, visit BPA.org.