ROCKWALL, TX (April 17, 2026) Students from the Dr. Gene Burton College & Career Academy (GBCCA) delivered an outstanding performance at the 2026 Business Professionals of America (BPA) State Leadership Conference, earning top honors and securing their place on the national stage.
A total of 18 GBCCA students qualified or were selected as alternates for the BPA National Leadership Conference, set to take place May 6–10 in Nashville, Tennessee. Competing against more than 4,500 students from across the state, GBCCA participants showcased exceptional skill, teamwork, and professionalism across a wide range of business and technology events.
Nine students earned official National Qualifier status, while 11 were named alternates. In addition, GBCCA students achieved 15 Top 20 national finalist placements and 12 Top 10 finishes in virtual events.
Congratulations to the following students:
National Qualifiers (NQ) & Alternates (NA):
Network Design Team #1- Neha Ramkumar, Arjun Singh, Trilochana Sivakumar- 2nd Place, NQ
Visual Design Team #1- Arya Davis, Aijha Lias, Nico Patrick- 2nd Place, NQ
Small Business Management Team- Vincent Vento, Ethan Abraham, Kelly Shin- 2nd Place, NQ
Extemporaneous Speech – Arjun Singh – 3rd Place, NQ
Fundamental Desktop Publishing – Arya +Davis – 7th Place, NQ
Network Design Team #2- Colton Fisher, Jayden Lewis, Reagan Merz, Rihanna Moola- 4th Place, NA Visual Design Team #2- Collin Charles, Brendan Gossett, Jackson Morris- 8th Place, NA
Advanced Desktop Publishing – Aijha Lias – 9th Place, NA
Advanced Desktop Publishing – Nico Patrick – 20th Place, NA
Fundamental Desktop Publishing – Collin Charles – 20th Place, NA
Virtual Event National Finalists:
Top 10 (National Showcase):
Software Engineering Team- Jude Sprowls, Samuel Wattles, Reagan Merz
Software Engineering Team- Rueben Camacho & Colton Fisher Software Engineering Team- Trilo Sivakumar, Arjun Singh, Neha Ramkumar, Nikhil Balaji
2D Animation- Nadia Flores, Brycen Tidwell, Kamila Ramirez, Andres Olivo
Top 20 Finalists:
Software Engineering Team- Austin Collingsworth, Daniel Philip, Tyrone David de los Santos
The GBCCA BPA chapter is led by co-advisors Naposhi Amos, Jeff Burkham, Marcia Eddy, and Misty Rayson, whose guidance and support have helped students continue to succeed.
With momentum from the state competition, GBCCA students now set their sights on representing Rockwall ISD at nationals.
Submitted press release, Rockwall ISD Communications.
GBCCA Students Earn State Honors, Advance to National BPA Competition added by Editor on
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