CHS BPA Takes State Title...Again

The Carlsbad High School chapter of Business Professionals of America has once again distinguished itself on the state’s stage in student leadership and career development—bringing home its seventh straight New Mexico BPA state championship. This achievement reflects consistency, commitment, and an exceptional culture of excellence.

Unlike many competitions, the New Mexico Business Professionals of America State Championship is not determined by contest results alone. Chapters earn points through a year-round evaluation of leadership development, CTE/CTSO advocacy, membership engagement, career skills training, community involvement, and social intelligence initiatives. Carlsbad excelled in each category, securing the NMBPA State Championship and NM Business Cup Champion title for the seventh consecutive year.

A Year of Exceptional Achievements

In addition to the state championship, the Carlsbad chapter was honored with:

• Gold Award – Chapter of Distinction

• Social Media Challenge Winner

• 26 National Qualifiers

• Most Valuable Member, Statesman of the Year, Merit Scholar (highest score), and a BPA Cares recognition

• Member Olivia Long selected to sing the National Anthem at the Opening Session

• Member Yuki Ye awarded the $1,500 Wanda Harriman Scholarship

Carlsbad also demonstrated extraordinary leadership in the Torch Awards program. Of only 11 students statewide to earn the prestigious Statesman Torch Award, eight were Carlsbad members—an accomplishment that underscores the chapter’s dedication to service, leadership, and professionalism.

Carlsbad’s 2025-2026 Statesman Torch Award Recipients were Daniel Brummett, Jack Dodd, Kanyon Kitchens, Olivia Long, Dany Hernandez Maldonado, Bryce Mashaw, Lily Miller, and Yuki Ye.

Earning the Statesman Award requires a minimum of 50 Torch points in all seven Torch categories, a standard that few students in the state achieve.

Individual Highlights

(listed alphabetically)

Eliana Britton (9th) – 2nd Prepared Speech

Daniel Brummett (12th) – Statesman Torch Award; 1st Health Administration Procedures; 1st Health Insurance & Medical Billing

Alexander Burns (10th) – 3rd Fundamental Word Processing

Mario De Leon (11th) – 2nd Parliamentary Procedure Team; 3rd Basic Office Systems and Procedures

Jack Dodd (12th) – Statesman Torch Award; 1st Economic Research (Individual); Top Ten IT Concepts

Claudia Gamboa (12th) – 2nd Basic Office Systems; 3rd Administrative Support Team

Isaac Garcia (9th) – 1st Podcast Production Team

Kiera Granado (11th) – 4th Basic Office Systems and Procedures

Grace Hendrickson (11th) – 2nd Parliamentary Procedure Team; NMBPA Merit Scholar

Dany Hernandez (11th) – Statesman Torch Award; Newly Elected NMBPA VP of Communications and Social Media; NMBPA Merit Scholar

Bailey King (11th) – 2nd Ethics and Professionalism

Kanyon Kitchens (11th) – Statesman Torch Award; 4th Fundamental Spreadsheet Applications

Olivia Long (10th) – National Anthem Singer; Statesman Torch Award

James Lopez (11th) – 3rd Business Law and Ethics

Bryce Mashaw (11th) – Statesman Torch Award; 2nd Parliamentary Procedure Team; 3rd Device Configuration and Troubleshooting

J.D. McCormack (11th) – 2nd Parliamentary Procedure Team; 5th Basic Office Systems; Head Voting Delegate