Recently, Hinsdale Central’s Business Professionals of America (BPA) has been busy selecting contests for the 2011-2012 season and preparing for the annual blood drive on Nov. 8.  After BPA experienced one of its most successful seasons last year, the expectations are high, but the new crop of students is working diligently to meet and exceed last year’s successes. “Last year, 75 percent of our members qualified for state. We should beat that this year,” said faculty sponsor Mrs. Jaczak.

BPA tries to maintain a balanced focus, emphasizing citizenship and service along with competitions and business. In the past, BPA organized multiple community-outreach programs, including a toy drive, but now the club will be internalizing key service projects. “The toy drive will be an all-club drive, instead of our typical all-school drive,” Jaczak said. This will free the club to focus on its main service activity: the annual blood drive.

Ever since BPA began hosting its annual blood drive, the event has developed a sense of novelty, as it is one of Hinsdale Central’s most unique charitable activities. Since its inauguration, the event has increased its scope. “We’ve expanded the drive each of the past four years,” Jaczak said. BPA intends on further increasing the blood drive’s reach this year with a goal of 125 donators.

Prior to the blood drive, students will have an opportunity to reserve a slot in the cafeteria during their lunch periods. “Students can sign up in the cafeteria from the Nov. 1-3,” Jaczak said. In the past, the event has generated strong support from the student body, and BPA is confident that will be the case again.

While service remains an integral component of the club’s eclectic agenda, BPA members still have a responsibility to represent Central well at their various competitions. As in past years, BPA’s first event will be hosted at Robert Morris University in Orland Park. However, Jaczak anticipates this year’s competitions to be even more competitive than last year’s. “We expect LT to be a much stronger challenger,” Jaczak said.

The month of November will certainly keep BPA members occupied as they finish coordinating the blood drive and begin developing their business-related projects for the Dec. 9 competition. “We’re focusing more on competitions [this year] after we had twelve members qualify for nationals last year,” Jaczak said. With over 60 anxious and dedicated members, BPA is confident this will be its strongest season yet.