Being at the Fall Leadership Conference as a State Officer Candidate
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As the phone starts to ring, I jump awake. It is 6:00 a.m. on one of the biggest days of my life so far. As I get ready and start to pack, the excitement takes over. Today I will stand on a stage in front of approximately 2500 students and advisors to give a speech I have worked on so hard. My friends and I also get to set up a booth and hand out buttons, flyers, and brochures. Everyone has worked so hard for this day. Why do I get to do this? Because I am a Business Professionals of America, Ohio Association Officer Candidate! It is 8:00 a.m.. I am now sitting in a small room next to my campaign manager, Chrissy. There are twelve other candidates present, and we are waiting to hear the rules of the campaign. When the meeting adjourns, it will be time to set up for the campaign rally. We have 45 minutes before the members are allowed in, and only Chrissy and I are allowed to set up the booth. Chrissy pulls out the signs to hang up behind the booth. “Keep BP in BPA” was typed in huge blue letters across the B.P Star so everyone could see it when the time came. The campaign rally is starting. Students from my school are coming to get their shirts to wear for the campaign. People are shouting and talking. Things look a little crazy, but everything is under control. I see a guy walk by with the front of his shirt covered with my buttons. The “BP Train” passes by, so I grab on. What a blast! It is 10:00 a.m. now. I am sitting in the auditorium between two campaign managers. Chrissy is to my right, telling me that the campaign rally was a success! As time goes by, it is getting closer to my time on stage. When they call my name, I walk to the stage and start my speech. I am not nearly as nervous as I thought I would be. I cannot see anything but darkness, so maybe that is why I am not too nervous. Before I know it, I am back in my seat, and the session is closing. Lunch is so much fun. I am on my way back from Starbuck’s with the rest of my class. It is almost time for the second session. I better get going if I want a good seat! The keynote speaker was a lot of fun, and the officer farewells are almost over. It is so sad to see everyone say goodbye. It is time to announce the new officer team. Two down, four to go. Anita (one of the officers) walks to the podium. “The new 2003-2004 Treasurer of Business Professionals of America, Ohio, Association, is…BRITTANY PAULUS!” I go to the stage, take my oath, and stand beside Sara Dunsmore on stage. Now it is 3:30 p.m. After the session, the leadership coordinator has a short meeting with the new officers and everyone want a picture. Boy, what a day! This is definitely an event I will never forget! |