Three New York Mills Students Earn Spots at National BPA Competition

Three New York Mills students advanced to the national Business Professionals of America competition after earning qualifying finishes at the annual Minnesota BPA State Leadership Conference held March 5–7 at the Minneapolis Hyatt Regency in Minneapolis.

The three students, identified by last name as Honer, Wallgren and Salo, were among 16 New York Mills students who made the trip to the state conference. More than 1,200 members attended the event, placing the New York Mills delegation inside one of the larger competitive gatherings in the organization's Minnesota calendar.

The three qualifiers represent a portion of a statewide BPA competitive field that numbered more than 2,000 Minnesota student members during the current school year. Advancing from that pool to the national level marks a significant benchmark for any student competitor.

New York Mills Dispatch reporter Tucker Henderson reported the advancement on March 17, 2026. Details on the specific BPA event categories in which Honer, Wallgren and Salo competed, as well as their finishing placements at the state conference, were not immediately available. Dates and location for the national competition have not yet been reported.